Project 1-041 Uzbekistan

Partnerships for enhanced engagement in research (PEER) SCIENCE
Cycle 1 (2011 Deadline)

Utilization of low quality water for halophytic forage and renewable energy production

PI: Kristina Toderich, International Center for Biosaline Agriculture and Samarkand Division of the Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences

US Partner: Laurel Saito, University of Nevada

Project Dates: June 2012 - June 2015

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 project targeted the cultivation and sustainable production of halophytes on unproductive, marginal salinized lands surrounding hundreds of small lakes in the Aral Sea Basin in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan Partnership Picture 2
A researcher takes soil moisture readings on a test plot planted with the halophyte Salsola scleranthe, August 2013.

Uzbekistan Partnership Picture 1
Dr. Toderich (second from right) with U.S. Embassy officials and local residents during a site visit to the Kyzylkesek region in May 2013.

These small lakes have potential utility as an aquatic resource for aquaculture or irrigation but are 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 aimed to assess the potential for halophytic plants as an economic resource via food for humans, animal feed, biofuel production, or through maintaining or restoring agricultural production of conventional crops on high saline soils. Specific objectives included: (1) to characterize halophytic growth, yield and salt uptake rates; (2) to identify halophytic nutritional value potential; (3) to examine impacts of halophytic crops on soil and water quality; (4) to model halophytic crop production and salt removal; (5) to assess the economic feasibility of halophytic crops for food security and salt removal; and (6) to conduct cost-benefit analysis to determine farmers’ perceptions of planting halophytic crops and assess their willingness to do so.

The team’s research involved collaborations with several partners, including 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).

Final Summary of Project Activities

The PEER grantee team established two research & demonstration sites: one in Central Kyzylkum (demonstrating natural inland salinity), the other in Khoresm (exhibiting secondary salinization of old irrigated agricultural lands near Shurkul Koshkupur Lake) in Uzbekistan. They monitored and sampled soil and water from fields, lakes and irrigation canals. The researchers cultivated salt-tolerant and halophyte plants and studied their agrobiological characteristics, including under what methods and conditions they grew, total biomass, as well as their contents of protein, lipids/fat and hydrocarbons for foraging and biofuel.

During the project period, researchers found that these ecosystems were vulnerable in terms of climatic extremes and availability of water resources. In addition, soils affected by secondary salinization were difficult to manage through conventional methods.

Growing halophytes in pure stands or intercropped with salt-tolerant fodder crops, cereals and oil plants showed good results on enhancing natural resources management, improving food security and diversifying income of agropastoralists in these remote desert areas. A socio-economic evaluation also showed environmental and economic feasibility for using dual- purpose crops for forage production and for livestock feeding systems using marginal saline water for irrigation.

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Socioeconomic survey in Ortayap village (photo courtesy of Dr. Toderich)

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Dr. Inna Rudenko surveying the villagers (photo courtesy of Dr. Toderich)

A promising research area was the diversification of crops with alternative salt and drought tolerant crops, such as sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and various species of legumes (alfalfa, licorice, soya bean, mung bean, vicia, and cow pea). The research team found two main advantages for the cultivation of a variety of nontraditional crops: creating a stable grain production and fodder supply necessary for the development of local livestock, and preventing erosion and improving soil productivity.

The project team worked with partners to organize a training seminar for farmers to present and discuss technological innovations in agriculture and food security. Approximately 180 participants included farmers, animal breeders, extension officers, scientists, policymakers, private sector representatives, students, international consultants and governmental leaders. The seminar covered topics such as best practices in conservation agriculture, biosaline agriculture and soil salinity management, pasture improvement, irrigation, land, and water and dryland ecosystems function.

Farmers have shown great interest in transfers of agricultural innovations, modern technologies for growing plants on degraded and marginal lands, effective methods of water use, adoption of conservation agriculture technologies, and integrated pest control.

Publication

Natalya Akinshina, Azamat Azizov, Tatyana Karasyova, and Edgar Klose. 2016. On the Issue of Halophytes as Energy Plants in Saline Environment. Biomass and Bioenergy 91: 306–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2016.05.034

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