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The National Academies
500 5th St NW - KWS 502
Washington, DC 20001
USA
Tel: (202) 334-2800
Fax: (202) 334-2139
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Cycle 1 (2011 Deadline)
Utilization of low quality water for halophytic forage and renewable energy production
PI: Kristina Toderich, International Center for Biosaline Agriculture/Samarkand Division of the Academy of Sciences
US Partner: Laurel Saito, University of Nevada
Project Dates: June 2012 - May 2014
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Dr. Toderich (second from left) and her team during their fall 2012 baseline assessment in the arid Kyzylkesek region, photo courtesy of Dr. Toderich.
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Project Overview
Salinization is a major problem facing the agricultural sector in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. A possible avenue for reclamation of saline lands is the use of halophytic species (salt-loving plants) that remove salts from saline soils and water. This proposal builds on research already underway by targeting the cultivation and sustainable production of halophytes for forage and renewable bioenergy uses on unproductive, marginal salinized lands surrounding hundreds of small lakes in the Aral Sea Basin in Uzbekistan.
Research has indicated these small lakes have potential utility as an aquatic resource for aquaculture or irrigation, but this utility is sensitive to inducing salinization that could render the water unusable. Hence, reclaiming saline lands near these lakes may benefit the economic utility of both land and water by reducing salt loads to the lakes. This project will investigate two aspects of halophyte use in relation to these lakes: 1) the use of saline water to irrigate halophytes and salt-tolerant crops, and 2) the economic utility of growing halophytes on marginal lands in relation to maintaining lake water quality and crop production. As one possible economic use, the project will assess the potential for integrating land reclamation using halophytes with bioenergy production and livestock feeding resources as degraded lands are made fertile. Research activities will involve collaborations with the Institute of Water Problems of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, Urgench State University, the Hydrometeorological Research Institute of Uzbekistan, and the NGO Khorezm Rural Advisory Support Service (KRASS).
Summary of Recent Activities
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Dr. Toderich (second from left in second row) and two colleagues interview a shepherd and his family in Madaniyat, photo courtesy of Dr. Toderich.
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This project involves several researchers in Uzbekistan working on soil, water, and nutrient quality aspects relevant to the possible use of salt-tolerant plants to feed animals or produce biofuel. Progress was reported on many fronts in early 2013. Dr. Toderich and colleagues completed analyses of water and soil salinity at their experimental sites in Kyzylkesek and Kushkupir districts. Several varieties of halophytes have been planted at both sites both in pure stands and intercropped with salt-tolerant crops. The researchers have also been working to analyze the nutritional value of various types of halophytes as fodder, as well as their potential for biogas production. The socioeconomic feasibility of growing halophytes for either of these uses is being evaluated by means of a household survey being administered to residents near the sites. In collaboration with Dr. Toderich, another colleague, Dr. Tamara Matyunina, has collected data on more than 78 halophyte species, which will be included in an illustrated manual on halophytes in Central Asia. To disseminate their results, the group conducted a seminar on the project January 24, 2013, at the National University of Uzbekistan. The event was attended by fellow researchers as well as representatives of USAID, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Embassy Tashkent. Team members have also been selected to present their results at a conference on Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Ecological Issues in Armenia in May and at the 21st European Biomass Conference in Copenhagen this June.
Another recent project highlight was the April 2013 visit of U.S. partner Dr. Saito and her MS student Ms. Tanna DeRuyter. Leading researchers and students working on the project made presentations, and the Uzbek and U.S. collaborators made plans for activities during the coming year. After the meeting ended, Dr. Toderich, Dr. Saito, Ms. DeRuyter, and other participants departed for six days of field work in the Navoi and Khorezm regions. Dr. Toderich will visit the United States in May-June 2013, thanks in part to an international visiting fellowship she received. She will make a presentation at the World Water and Environmental Resources Congress in Cincinnati and then will visit Dr. Saito at the University of Nevada, Reno for project consultations and field visits.
Back to PEER Cycle 1 Grant Recipients
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