Ecological aspects and analysis of ecotypes of kochia prostrate (Kochia prostrata (L.) Schrad)

Over the past few decades, the state of the land in the arid zones of Russia is developing extremely unfavorably due to irrational pasture use. One of the ways to solve the problem is the development of halophytes in culture to create different varieties (as fodder) and restore saline soils. Halophytes (galos – salt, phyton – plant) is a special group of ecologically and physiologically adapted plant species that are able to maximize their potential in conditions of severe salinity. Halophytes – being useful as fodder, medicinal and oil-bearing plants – have a powerful environment-forming function and the ability to desalt saline soils. One of such halophytes is kochia prostrate. This is a pasture high-protein forage crop that has a number of nutritional properties, is well eaten by many animal species (in particular, cattle and small cattle), and is also promising for use in phytomelioration on natural pastures in arid regions of Eurasia, Africa and America. Fodder based on kochia prostrate is well balanced regarding amino acid composition (lysine, methionine, threonine, etc.), thereby is an excellent fattening feed. Therefore, it is important to understand, from the point of view of selection, on what type of soil will Kochia grow favorably and give the maximum yield for creating new varieties. This article presents the results of comparing the feed and seed productivity of three ecotypes of the xerogalophytic fodder half-shrub of kochia prostrate (Kochia prostrata (L.) Schrad).