Ecological and biological characteristics and productivity of Kochia prostrata in the conditions of the Caspian semi-desert

Kochia prostrata (L.) Shrad. - a perennial plant with a height of 35-75 cm, according to its life form - a shrub, according to ecology - an euhaloxerophyte, according to an adaptive strategy - violent, an extremely drought-resistant and salt-tolerant, valuable forage plant in desert pastures. It grows on solonetz soils, stony soils, chalk outcrops, in saline and sandy steppes, plain desert sands, on gray soils. In the growing season, Kochia prostrata hay contains up to 16.5 % protein, 15.4 % ash substances, 2.7 % fat, 34.5 % nitrogen-free extractives and 29.6 % fiber. Fodder productivity reaches 2.2-2.5 t/ha of dry fodder mass, seed productivity - on average 100-150 kg/ha. High drought resistance and salt tolerance, good forage qualities make Kochia prostrata a promising forage plant for introduction into cultivation in arid regions of the Caspian semi-desert in order to restore the lost biodiversity and forage productivity of degraded pastures.