Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Notes about Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) Bunge ex Boiss., a promising shrub for arid regions

  • Notes on Neglected and Underutilized Crops
  • Published:
Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Haloxylon salicornicum is a shrub species found in arid regions and has beneficial applications that include fruiting tops and seed as animal feed, seed as emergency food, wood as fuel, different plant parts for medicine, and restoration of degraded lands. Moreover, the species is tolerant to abiotic stresses such as drought and high temperature which make it suitable for cultivation in marginal lands of arid regions. Lack of research in H. salicornicum hinders its successful improvement and promotion. Sixty five accessions of H. salicornicum collected from North-western Rajasthan were characterized in terms of growth attributes and yield. Characterization of growth traits and yield showed that there are extensive variations in plant height, canopy diameter, number of branches, above ground biomass and seed yields. This article aims at summarizing information on distribution, ecology, uses and diversity of H. salicornicum to stimulate interest in this species to promote its domestication in arid lands.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdallah EM, El-Ghazali GE (2013) Screening for antimicrobial activity of some plants from Saudi folk medicine. Glob J Res Med Plants Indigen Med 2:189–197

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahmad M, Eram S (2011) Hepatoprotective studies on Haloxylon salicornicum: a plant from Cholistan Desert. Pak J Pharm Sci 24:377–382

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ajabnoor MA, Al-Yahya MA, Tariq M, Jayyab AA (1984) Antidiabetic activity of Hammada salicornica. Fitoterapia 55:107–109

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Ani TA, Jawad MS (1973) Range Resources of Iraq. VIII. Height nutrient composition relationship of five native range species. Technical Report No. 47. Institute for Applied Research on Natural Resources, Abu Gharib

  • Al-Ani TA, Jawad MS (1974) Range Resources of Iraq X. Seasonal variations in nutrient content of Haloxylon salicornicum and Artemisia herba alba. Technical Report No. 56. Institute for Applied Research on Natural Resources, Abu Gharib, Iraq, 12 pp (Mimeo)

  • Al-Ani TA, Abdulaziz AL, Al Mufti MM, Al-Chachafchi FMR, Kaul RN, Tahlen DCP (1971) Studies on nutrient composition of some range species. Iraqi J Agric Sci 6:3–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Ali SI, Qaiser M (2001) Flora of Pakistan, Chenopodiaceae Jointly published by Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan and Missouri Botanical Press: Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Missouri, USA, vol 204, p 185

  • Ali I, Chaudhry MS, Farooq U (2009) Camel rearing in Cholistan desert of Pakistan. Pakistan Vet J 29:85–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Alqasoumi SI, Soliman GA, Awaad AS, Donia ARM (2012) Anti-inflammatory activity, safety and protective effects of Leptadenia pyrotechnica, Haloxylon salicornicum and Ochradenus baccatus in ulcerative colitis. Phytopharmacology 2:58–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Salameen F, Al-Hashash H, Al-Amad S (2013) Assessment of genetic diversity of Haloxylon salicornicum genotypes, a native plant of Kuwait. Kuwait J Sci 40:149–164

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anonymous (1959) The wealth of India, vol 5. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Dehli

    Google Scholar 

  • Ashraf MA, Karamat M, Shahnaz K, Abdul W, Ismail Y (2012) Study of chemical and mineral constituents of Haloxylon salicornicum collected from Cholistan Desert, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Wlfenia J 19:306–327

    Google Scholar 

  • Awaad AS, Sokkar NM, Soliman GM (2001) Bulletin of the faculty of pharmacy, vol 39. Cairo University, Cairo, p 121

    Google Scholar 

  • Belgacem AO, Louchaichi M (2013) The vulnerability of native rangeland plant species to global climate change in the west Asia and North African regions. Clim Chang 119:451–463. doi:10.1007/s10584-013-0701-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bibi N, Tanoli SAK, Farheen S, Afza N, Siddiqi S, Zhang Y, Kazmi SU, Malik A (2010) In vitro antituberculosis activities of the constituents isolated from Haloxylon salicornicum. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 20:4173–4176. doi:10.1016/j.bmcl.2010.05.061

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boulos L (1999) Flora of Egypt, vol 1. Al-Hadra, Cairo

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown G (2003) Factors maintaining plant diversity in degraded areas of northern Kuwait. J Arid Environ 54:183–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown G, Al-Mazrooei S (2001) Germination ecology of Haloxylon salicornicum from Kuwait. Bot Jahrb Syst Pflanzengesch Pflanzengeogr 123:235–247

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown G, Porembski S (1997) The maintenance of species diversity by miniature dunes in a sand-depleted Haloxylon salicornicum community in Kuwait. J Arid Environ 37:461–473

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chaudhary JL, Tiwari G, Garg R, Shirmali H, Jat HR (2003). Feeding habits of Bikaneri camels in their home tracts. Drought Animal News No. 38. Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine. University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

  • Chopra RN, Nayar SL, Chopra IC (1956) Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Clor MA, Al-Ani TA, Charchafchy FMR (1973) Range Resources of Iraq. IX. Seed viability and seedling vigour of H. salicornicum as affected by time lapse, storage condition and seed size. Tech Rep. No. 52. Institute for Applied Research on Natural Resources. Abu Gharib, Iraq, p. 7 (Mimeo)

  • Clor MA, Al-Ani TA, Charchafchy F (1976) Germinability and seedling vigour of H. salicornicum as affected by storage and seed size. J Range Manage 29:60–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dagla HR, Shekhawat NS (2006) Little known use of Haloxylon spp. in traditional food. Nat Prod Radiance 5:131–132

    Google Scholar 

  • De Groot P, Haq N (1995) Promotion of traditional and underutilized crops. ICUC/CSC Commonwealth Science Council Series No. CSC (95) AGR 23, Technical Paper 311, CSC, London

  • El-Keblaway A, Al-Shamsi N (2008) Salinity, temperature and light affect seed germination of Haloxylon salicornicum, a common perennial shrub of the Arabian deserts. Seed Sci Tech 36:679–688

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El-Shaer HM (2010) Halophytes and salt-tolerant plants as potential forage for ruminants in the Near East Region. Small Ruminant Res 91:3–12. doi:10.1016/j.smallrumers2010.01.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El-Shazly AM, Dora G, Wink M (2005) Alkaloids of Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) Bunge ex Boiss. (Chenopodiaceae). Pharmazie 60:949–952

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Farooq Z, Iqbal Z, Mushtaq S, Muhammade G, Iqbal MZ, Arshad M (2008) Ethnoveterinary practices for the treatment of parasitic diseases in livestock in Cholistan desert (Pakistan). J Ethnopharmacology 118:213–219. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.03.015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferheen S, Ahmad E, Afza N, Malik A (2005a) Phytochemical studies on Haloxylon salicornicum. J Chem Soc Pak 27:219–222

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ferheen S, Ahmed E, Afza N, Malik A, Nawaz SA, Choudhary MI (2005b) Lipoxygenase inhibiting steroidal glycosides and naphthenic derivatives from Haloxylon salicornicum. Polish J Chem 79:1469–1476

  • Ferheen S, Ahmad E, Afza N, Malik A, Shah MR, Nawaz SA, Choudhary MI (2005c) Haloxylines A and B, antifungal and cholinesterase inhibiting piperdine alkaloids from Haloxylon salicornicum. Chem Pharm Bull 53:570–572

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fitzpatrick MC, Gove AD, Sanders NJ, Dunn RR (2008) Climate change, plant migration, and range land collapse in a global biodiversity hotspot: The Banksia (Proteaceae) of Western Australia. Glob Change Biol 14:1337–1352

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gebauer J, El-Siddig K, Ebert G (2002) The potential of underutilized fruit trees in Central Sudan. A full paper online publication of the conference on international agricultural research for development, 1–6. http://www.agrar.uni-kassel.de/opats/pub/2002Gebauer05.pdf. Accessed 27 Dec 2012

  • Gebauer J, El Siddig K, Salih AA, Ebert G (2004) Tamarindus indica L. seedlings are moderately salt tolerant when exposed to NaCl-induced salinity. Sci Hortic (Amsterdam) 103:1–8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ghazali GE, Khalifa S, Gameel AS, Abdallah EM (2010) Traditional medicinal plants indigenous to Al-Rass province, Saudi Arabia. J Med Plant Res 4:2680–2683

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghazanfar SA (1994) Handbook of Arabia medicinal plant. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL

  • Gibbons S, Denny BJ, Ali-Amine S, Mathew KT, Skelton BW, White A, Gray AI (2000) NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallographic and molecular modeling studies on a new pyranone from Haloxylon salicornicum. J Nat Prod 63:839–840

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gómez-Aparicio L, Zamora R, Gómez JM, Hódar JA, Castro J, Baraz E (2004) Applying plant facilitation to forest restoration: a meta-analysis of the use of shrubs as nurse plants. Ecol Appl 14:1128–1138. doi:10.1890/03-5084

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gouda NA, Mahmoud FAE, El-Hawary MI, Hashim FMM, El-Sahamy AM, Shehata AH (1987) Comparative pharmacological study of Haloxylon salicornicum acut., non Bunge and Arthrocnemum glaucum (Del.) Ung- Sternb. on isolated skeletal muscle preparation. Egypt J Pharm Sci 28:437–450

    Google Scholar 

  • Guest E (1966) Flora of Iraq, vol 1. Ministry of Agriculture, Republic of Iraq

    Google Scholar 

  • Hameed M, Ashraf M, Ahmad MSA, Naz N (2010) Structural and functional adaptations in plants for salinity tolerance. In: Ashraf M, Ozturk M, Ahmad MSA (eds) Plant adaptations and phytoremediation. Springer, Berlin. doi:10.1007/978-90-481-9370-7_8

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammer K, Heller J (1997) Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. Schr Genet Ressour 8:223–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammer K, Khoshbakht K (2005) Towards a ‘red list’ for crop plant species. Genet Resour Crop Evol 52:249–265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hammer K, Heller J, Engels J (2001) Monographs on underutilized and neglected crops. Genet Resour Crop Evol 48:3–5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ibnoaf M (1987) Towards a better understanding of our livestock: camels of Kuwait. Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Sfat

    Google Scholar 

  • Ibrahim AY, Mahmoud K, El- Hallouty SM (2011) Screening of antioxidant and cytotoxicity activities of some plant extracts from Egyptian flora. J Appl Sci Res 7:1246–1258

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • IPGRI (2002) Neglected and underutilized plant species: strategic action plan of the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute. International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome

  • Joshi AJ, Khot SS (2004) Edible succulent halophytes as good source of proteins for restoration of salt-affected soils. Bull Natl Inst Ecol 14:25–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Kassas M (1995) Desertification: a general review. J Arid Environ 30(115–128):1963. doi:10.1016/S0140-(05)80063-1

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaul A (1986) Haloxylon salicornicum—an arid land shrubs: it’s ecology and potential. Ann Arid Zone 25:31–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaul A, Kumar S, Shankar V (1992) Vegetative propagation of Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) Bunge. Ann Arid Zone 31:227–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaur P, Bains NS (2012) Extraction of flavonoids from in vitro and in vivo tissue culture of some important halophytes of western Rajasthan. Int J Pharm Tech Res 4(3):1167–1171

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kernick MD (1966) Plant resources, range ecology and fodder plant production. Report to the Government of Kuwait, Mimeo

  • Khalaf FI (1989) Desertification and aeolian processes in the Kuwait Desert. J Arid Environ 16:125–145

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathur BK, Singh JP, Rathore VS, Singh NP, Beniwal RK (2011) Utilization of hot desert shrub: Lana (Haloxylon salicornicum) seeds as feed resources in arid zone. Indian J Small Ruminants 17:231–234

    Google Scholar 

  • Michel KH, Sandberg F (1967) Alkaloids of Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq. -Tand) Boiss. Acta Pharm Sueci. 4:97–116

  • Michel KH, Sandberg F (1968) Occurrence of tyramine and N-methyltyramine in Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq. Tand) Boiss. Acta Pharm Suecica 5:67–70

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Migahid AM (1978) Flora of Saudi Arabia, vol 1, 2nd edn. Riyadh University, Riyadh

    Google Scholar 

  • Mondal BC, Singh JP, Beniwal RK (2006) Chemical composition of desert shrub Lana (Haloxylon salicornicum) used as animal feed in western Rajasthan. Ann Arid Zone 45:91–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Patil SJ, Singhal RS, Kulkarni PR (2005) Studies of a 2:1 sodium carbonate:sodium bicarbonate mixture as papad khar substitute for papads. Food Chem 91:51–56. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2004.06.006

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Raman S (2006) Agricultural sustainability: principles, processes, and prospects. Food Products Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Rathore VS, Singh JP, Roy MM (2012) Haloxylon stocksii (Boiss.) Benth. et Hook. f. a promising halophyte: distribution, cultivation and utilization. Genet Resour Crop Evol 59:1213–1221. doi:10.1007/s10722-012-9843-5

  • Rathore VS, Singh JP, Bhardwaj S, Nathawat NS, Kumar M, Roy MM (2014) Potential of native shrubs Haloxylon salicornicum and Calligonum polygonoides for restoration of degraded lands in arid western Rajasthan, India. Environ Mang. doi:10.1007/s00267-014-0372-1

  • Raza MA (2013) Prevalence of intestinal parasites in small ruminants and their sensitivity to treatments with ethanobotanical remedies in Cholistan, Pakistan. Dr. Agr. Dissertation. Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences/Animal Husbandry in the Tropics and Sub-tropics. University of Kassel, Germany

  • Reynolds JF, Virginia RA, Kemp PR, De Soyza AG, Tremme DC (1999) Impact of drought on desert shrubs: effects of seasonality and degree of resource island development. Ecol Monogr 69:69–106. doi:10.1890/0012-9615(1999)069[0069:IODODS]2.0.CO;2

  • Saini N, Mathur BK, Singh JP, Pathak KML, Beniwal RK, Lukha A, Kiradoo BD (2009) Feeding of Lana (Haloxylon salicornicum) seed to camel and its effect on palatability and nutrient utilization in arid region. p 274. In: International Conference on Nurturing Arid Zones for People and the Environment: Issues and Agenda for the 21st Century. November 24–28, CAZRI, Jodhpur

  • Saleem N (2012) An ethno-pharmacological study of Egyptian Bedouin women’s knowledge of medicinal plants. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK

  • Saleem NH, Ferro VA, Simpson AM, Igoli J, Gray AI, Drummond RM (2013) The inhibitory effect of Haloxylon salicornicum on contraction of the mouse uterus. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine, vol. 2013, Article ID 714075, 10 p, doi:10.1155/2013/714075

  • Sen DN, Rajpurohit KS, Wissing FW (1982) Survey and adaptive biology of halophytes in western Rajasthan, India. In: Sen DN, Rajpurohit KS (eds) Contribution to the ecology of halophytes, tasks in vegetation science 2. Dr. W. Junk Pubishers, The Hague, pp 61–78

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Shabana MM, Mirhom YW, Genenah AA, Aboutabl EA, Amer HA (1990) Study into wild Egyptian plants of potential medicinal activity. Ninth communication: Hypoglycaemic activity of some selected plants in normal fasting and alloxanised rats. Archiv Exp Veterinarmed 44:389–394

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shankar V, Kumar S (1982) Basic Resources Survey of Jaisalmer District I. Vegetation of Pokaran Tehsil. Annual Progress Report, CAZRI, Jodhpur

  • Shankar V, Kumar S (1984) Ecological distribution of H. salicornicum (Moq.) Bunge as an aid to the reconstruction of the lost courses of the Sarswati River in the Indian Desert. Trop Ecol 25:227–238

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh JP, Soni ML, Beniwal RK, Mondal BC, Dashora S (2003) Leela lana—paschimi Rajasthan ki aan ban. Parti Bhumi Samachar April–June: 20–22 (In Hindi)

  • Singh JP, Soni ML, Rathore VS (2005) Halophyte chenopod shrubs of arid zone. In: Pratap N, Singh M, Khan MS, Kumar S (eds) Shrubs of Indian Arid Zone. CAZRI, Jodhpur, pp 27–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh JP, Mathur BK, Rathore VS (2009) Fodder potential of Lana (Haloxylon salicornicum) in hot arid region. Range Manage Agrofor 30:34–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Soliman GA, Donia Ael R, Awaad AS, Algasoumi SI, Yusufoglu H (2012) Effects of Emex spinosa, Leptadenia pyrotechnica, Haloxylon salicornicum and Ochradenus baccatus extracts on the reproductive organs of male rats. Pharm Biol 50:105–112. doi:10.3109/13880209.2011.601465

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart RR (1972) An annotated catalogue of the vascular plants of West Pakistan and Kashmir, Flora of West Pakistan. Fakhri Press, Karachi

    Google Scholar 

  • Tackholm V (1974) Students’ flora of Egypt, 2nd edn. Cairo University Press, Cairo

    Google Scholar 

  • Thalen DCP (1979) Ecology and utilization of desert shrub rangelands in Iraq. Dr. W. Junk. Publishers, The Hague

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Titus JH, Nowak RS, Smith SD (2002) Soil resource heterogeneity in the Mojave Desert. J Arid Environ 52:269–292

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tubiello FN, Soussana JF, Howden SM (2007) Crop and pasture response to climate change. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 104:19686–19690

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vesey-Fitzgerald DF (1957) The vegetation of Central and Eastern Arabia. J Ecol 45:779–789

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wasfi IA, Bashir AK, Abdalla AA, Banna NR, Tanira MO (1995) Anti-inflammatory activity of some medicinal plants of United Arab Emirates. Int J Pharmacogn 33:124–128. doi:10.3109/13880209509055211

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wickens GE (2001) Economic botany-principles and practices. Kluwer, Dordrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaman S, Padmesh S, Bhat NR, Tawfiq H (2006) Germination of some Kuwait’s native plants under saline conditions. Am Eurasian J Agric Environ Sci 1(2):146–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Zohary M (1981) Flora Palaestina. Vol. 1. The Israel Academy of Science and Humanities. 2nd Printing. Jerusalem Academic Press

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by CAZRI (Project No. CAZRI/T-02/22). We thank Director, CAZRI for providing guidance and support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Regional Research Station, Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Bikaner, 334004, India

    V. S. Rathore

  2. Regional Research Station, Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jaisalmer, 345001, India

    J. P. Singh

  3. Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, 342003, India

    M. M. Roy

Authors
  1. J. P. Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. V. S. Rathore
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. M. Roy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to V. S. Rathore.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Singh, J.P., Rathore, V.S. & Roy, M.M. Notes about Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) Bunge ex Boiss., a promising shrub for arid regions. Genet Resour Crop Evol 62, 451–463 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-014-0212-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-014-0212-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation