Xerohalophyte semi-shrub Camphorosma lessingii Litv.: Selection by shrub forms in the Caspian semi-desert conditions

Abstract

Camphorosmalessingii is a perennial plant, a semi-shrub by life form, and a haloxerophyte. It is tolerant to drought and heat, and to salt stress. The growing season is 235–245 days long. It is a good fodder plant suitable for recreating permanent pastures, both natural and with semi-shrubs of Kochia prostrata and Salsola orientalis. The objective of the study was to analyze and evaluate the intraspecific diversity of Camphorosma lessingii by its shrub forms. During ontogenesis, when Camphorosma lessingii enters the budding phase, plants are differentiated into three types by forms. The first type is the prostrate forms, where the central stem is weakly structured or absent. The second type is the prostrate-climbing forms, where the central stem is well-defined, with many lateral shoots. The erect forms are the third type, with a single central inflorescence shoot (stem). A prostrate Camphorosma lessingii proved to be the most productive and resistant to abiotic stresses. With this form of Camphorosma lessingii as the parent material, the pasture variety Grace was cultivated. This variety is characterized by high bushiness, leafiness, and drought resistance, as well as winter hardiness, yield of fodder mass and seeds, and resistance to diseases and pests. The productivity of Camphorosma lessingii variety Grace reached 2.0 t/ha of dry fodder mass, exceeding the yield of the standard one by 0.7 t/ha.