ARS | Publication request: Potential for use of Kochia prostrata and perennial grasses for rehabilitation in Jordan

Submitted to: Society for Range Management Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 1, 2010
Publication Date: February 1, 2010
Citation: Bailey, D.W., Al Tabini, R., Waldron, B.L., Libbin, J., Alqadi, A., Al Oun, M., Al-Khalidi, K., Jensen, K.B. 2010. Potential for use of Kochia prostrata and perennial grasses for rehabilitation in Jordan. Society for Range Management Meeting Abstracts, February 2010, Denver, CO.

Technical Abstract: Although rangelands in Jordan are often degraded, they provide valued and traditional lifestyles through livestock production. A series of studies were conducted to evaluate practical approaches to restore degraded arid rangelands in Jordan. Six varieties of forage kochia [Kochia prostrata (L.) Shad.] and 4 drought-tolerant perennial grass varieties were seeded and evaluated at 2 sites, northern and southern. Precipitation was below normal during both years of the study (2008 and 2009). At the northern site, forage kochia germinated and persisted in 2008 (58 mm of annual precipitation). In 2009 with even less precipitation (43 mm), seeds did not germinate, and existing plants apparently died. At the southern site, forage kochia and perennial grasses germinated and persisted during both 2008 and 2009 (110 and 73 mm of annual precipitation, respectively). Frequency of forage kochia did not change (P>0.10) from 2008 to 2009, but plant height roughly doubled. Superior varieties of forage kochia were Sahro and Octavny. In 2009, at the southern site, water harvesting (furrows from contour plowing) reduced (P=0.01) establishment of forage kochia compared to simple direct seeding, but it did not affect (P>0.10) establishment of perennial grasses. Based on this study, direct seeding of forage kochia and arid-adapted perennial grasses appear to have great potential for rangeland restoration efforts in Jordan. Water harvesting does not appear to improve plant establishment during drought conditions.