Study the domestication possibility of four halophyte species using brakish and saline irrigation water

In order to study the possibility of growing four annual desert halophyte species includingKochia scoparia, Suaeda dimorphestegia, Salsola crassa and Atriplex arcuata in desertenvironments, irrigating with saline ground water, a research project comprising of threeseparate experiments was performed during three successive years, 2002-2003, 2003-2004 and 2004-2005. Field experiment carried out in a split plot design in which three levels of saline irrigation water (1.5, 9.5 and 26.0 dS/m) were arranged as main and four halophyte species as sub plots with three replications. There were high significant differences in ground covering, electrolyte leakage, dry matter accumulation and plant hight among halophyte species. Suaeda produced at least twice of dry matter as any other species at any level of salinity. The average dry matter production of this species in three years and at three levels of salinity was 11850 kg/ha, while this amount was 4725, 5136 and 3616 kg/ha for Kochia, Salsola and Atriplex, respectively. Ratio of leaf to shoot weight was varying from 39% in Atriplex to 56% in at full flowering stage. In conclusion, germination and plant stablishment of these four annual halophytes should be explored for domestication. High dry matter production of these species in watering with saline waters of more than 70% of seawater, make them capable for production invery high saline lands, as well as irrigation with high saline waters.