Biological Bases of Forage Plants under the Conditions of Kalmyk Arid Lands

Abstract

The current state of land use in the Republic of Kalmykia is considered. An increase in degraded lands with respect to salinity and erosion is shown. An increase in the species composition of forage crops via the introduction of amaranth is substantiated as a way to increase the productivity of degraded arable lands. The great advantages of amaranth include its high nutritional value and good forage digestibility. Amaranth can be very important as a high-protein forage crop; it provides quality of forage production for the stable development of animal husbandry in the Republic of Kalmykia.