Forage Potentialities of Kochia indica and K. scoparia in Arid Lands with Particular Reference to Saudi Arabia PDF

Keywords

arid, Saudi Arabia, germination

Abstract

The genus Kochia comprises species that are salt tolerant and/or drought resistant. Being rich in nutritive constituents and palatable to livestock, rabbits and poults, these plants may be introduced as non-conventional forage crops in arid lands. Two Kochia species (K. indica Wight and K. scoparia (L. ) Schrad.) are studied. For K. indica, seed germination and growth of seedlings were examined under different salinity levels. The response of K. indica to mineral nutrients was also tested. Field experiment was conducted to study germination, growth and vegetative yields of K. indica and K. scoparia in a salt affected land of the arid western region of saudi Arabia. The available artesian saline water was used for irrigation. The results obtained reveal that Kochia plants may be cultivated under salinity and high temperature stresses. Their vegetative yields and hay can be used as green and dry fodders, thus presenting a solution for the problem of the shortage of forage in arid lands.