The possibility of forage production and establishment of salt tolerant species in saline and low-yield lands (Case study: Garmsar- Semnan)

The use of saline and lands low-yield lands for forage production is an important step towards optimal utilization of low quality soil and water resources and supplying livestock forage as well as conservation of soil and water resources. Therefore, this research was aimed to investigate the establishment potential, canopy cover percentage, height growth and yield. Garmasar Desert Research Station with a soil salinity of 30-35 ds/m and Atriplex canescens, Atriplex leucoclada, Atriplex verrocifera, Aeluropus lagopoides and Aeluropus littoralis were selected and the species were cultivated in three replications. In each replication, 15 individuals of the study species were cultivated on each row. According to the results, the establishment percentage of At. ca, At. le, At. ve, Ae. la and Ae. li was recorded to be 95.5%, 95.5%, 100%, 97.7%, and 100%, respectively, indicating high establishment potential. The results of analysis of variance for annual yield showed that all the study species were able to produce forage in saline lands with a soil salinity of 35 ds/m.Among the study species, At. ca and At. le had the highest canopy cover and height. The highest forage production (more than 2 kg ha-1) was recorded for At. le, compared with other study species.Our results clearly showed that yield and canopy cover superior to other traits in showing the differences among the study species.