• • • Black saxaul: reproductive biology, productivity and seed quality
Middle Asian Republics widely use black saxaul (Haloxylon aphyllum (Minkw.) Iljin.) to improve degraded pastures through protective plant stands. The plant belongs to Irano-Turanian species and ranges in size from a large shrub to a small tree, 3‒4 m tall, under favorable conditions — up to 7‒8 m. The investigation analyzed and described its flowering process, seed productivity and requirements to seed quality. It took place in the Carnabchul Desert. Flowering happened from early to late April. Seed is round, 2‒2.5 mm in diameter, flat on top, slightly compressed in the middle. Seed coat is thin, semitransparent. Embryo is coiled, has no endosperm and perisperm, consists of light radicle, two dark-green cotyledons and plumule. Seed productivity of black saxaul makes up from 40 to 668 g, or from 12.4 to 251.8 thousand seeds per plant, depending on age, shrub size and season conditions. Seed yield was relatively high (305–457 kg ha-1), providing high reproduction rate, varying within 10.5 and 90.5, depending on age, stand density and weather. Seed quality for seed production has to satisfy the Standard for original and elite seeds. Seed quality for protective crop stands has to meet the one for reproduction seeds.
Source: https://kormoproizvodstvo.ru/en/10-2018-2/, p. 29
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