Xerohalophyte semishrub Kochia prostrata - variety selection for arid land reclamation
The investigation took place at the Kazakh Research Institute of Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production in 2009-2019. Promising genotypes of Kochia prostrata were used to develop varieties for green fodder and hay production. Green and grey subspecies showed variation in many morphological and biological traits. The green subspecies was more suitable for pasture use due to its early maturation and fast aftergrowth, while tall-grown upright long-season grey subspecies - for hay production. Genotypes K-210, K-211 and K-510, K-521 had leaf coverage of 69-710% and high productivity - 1.33-1.40 and 1.32-1.34 t ha<sup>-1</sup>, respectively. Sandy ecotypes were used to produce hay. Their height reached 71-74 cm, leaf coverage -54-57%, protein content - 12-14% and hay yield - 2.80-3.26 t ha<sup>-1</sup>. Genotype К-210 was used to develop the variety “Pastbishchnyy” , exceeding the standard in dry mass by 34.3%. Its height reached 62 cm, leaf coverage - 70%, stem - thin. The variety had high resistance to diseases, drought and frost as well as good aftergrowth. To develop a variety for hay production purposes К-513 line was selected exceeding the standard in productivity by 31%. Plant height was 77.7 cm, leaf coverage - 54-58%. Upright shrub type enabled harvesting the most valuable parts.