Calligonum aphyllum

The Calligonum aphyllum (CAG) seed variety was developed by the M.B. Narmanov Kalmyk Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture in conjunction with the All-Union Research Institute of Forage Crops named after V.R. William and was registered in 2009. It is designed for cultivation in arid conditions where traditional crops cannot survive. Seeds maintain germination viability for 5–9 years, making them convenient for storage and transportation.

Calligonum is a perennial shrub of the Polygonaceae family, widespread in the deserts and steppes of Western Siberia, Central, and Middle Asia, as well as in North Africa. The shrubs reach heights of 0.4 to 7 meters, have a branched crown with curved stems and young shoots that fall in autumn. Leaves are inconspicuous, linear or awl-shaped, and fall early, which reduces water loss. Flowers are axillary, bisexual, and fragrant, while fruits are nuts with a hard pericarp, easily dispersed by wind.

The CAG variety is distinguished by high resistance to drought and salt stress, as confirmed within the program for breeding 20 new shrub forage varieties. With an annual rainfall sum of 180–250 mm, it is capable of providing 18–20 centners of dry edible forage mass per hectare, significantly exceeding the productivity of natural pastures (1.5–3.0 centners per hectare). Thanks to these characteristics, Calligonum CAG is widely used in phytoreclamation of degraded pastural lands where wind erosion and salinization are observed. Plants reinforce the soil, forming adventitious roots after being buried by sand, and their wood is dense and heavy, making it suitable for construction material and fuel.

Young shoots and fruits of Calligonum can be consumed by both animals and humans as a source of moisture; fruits have an apple-like taste. Growths on stems are used for making smoking pipes and bowls. Overall, the CAG variety represents a reliable tool of agronomic practice for the development of arid regions, providing both forage and ecosystem value.