Haloxylon stocksii (Boiss.) Benth. et Hook. f., a promising halophyte: distribution, cultivation and utilization

Abstract

Neglected and underutilized species often play a vital role in securing food and livestock feed, income generation and energy needs of rural population. In spite of their great potential little attention has been given to these species. Khar, Haloxylon stocksii (Boiss.) Benth. et Hook. f. (syn. Haloxylon recurvum sensu Bunge in Boiss.) (Chenopodiaceae) is a halophyte shrub naturally growing in the arid and semiarid saline lands. The species has been used for making Saji and a number of other beneficial applications that include the use as fodder, folk medicine and plant ash as washing agent. Moreover the species is tolerant to environmental stresses, which make it suitable for cultivation in saline land of arid and semiarid regions. One major factor hampering its successful improvement and promotion is the limited and scattered knowledge available on this species. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of H. stocksii by presenting information on species’ occurrence, ecology, uses, cultivation and ethnobotany to stimulate interest to promote its domestication and commercialization for regional and global markets.