Propagation of less known shrubs of hot arid region

Abstract

Hot arid region represents a range of diversity in native shrubs, which occur on a wide range of habitats. Some of these grow in extreme desertic habitat and survive in harsh climatic conditions. The diverse material of indigenous multipurpose little known shrubs offers a good scope for introduction in the farming system. This will be particularly useful on those areas where some of the species like Phog (Calligonum polygonoides), Lana (Haloxylon salicornicum), Gangeran (Grewia tenax), Kheep (Leptadenia pyrotechnica) etc make the dominant cover even in times of drought. These species with food and fuelwood value also provide the nutritious feed to animals during forage scarcity and drought period. Their introduction in suitable habitat will also help in conservation of these shrubs. In the chapter, importance and propagation of some of less known shrubs of western Rajasthan have been discussed.