Based on soil characteristics, watertable level, mineral composition of plant biomass, morphological/reproductive traits and carbon discrimination values, a new concept for the classification of halophytes was developed. Six main groups of halophytes have been described within the desert flora of Central Asia. Significant changes on chemical contents of ions:and Mg 2þ among 23 studied halophytic forage species were revealed. Alhagi pseudoalhagi, Poaceae spp., Artemisia diffusa containing minimum concentration of mineral ions were categorised as relatively more palatable and valuable feed for livestock on open grazing and as hay. Fresh biomass of forage species growing under highly saline soils sharply decreased with increasing of salinity gradient. Potassium concentration was found highest in Kochia scoparia, Agropyron desertorum, closely followed by Atriplex nitens, Suaeda salsa, while annuals Salsola spp., Bromus tectorum, Aeluropus littoralis, Tamarix hispida, Eremopyrum orientale, Agropyron desertorum contain low amount of mineral ions because excess of salts are exuded through salt glands present abundantly on the surface of the epidermis. Native and exotic, both C 3 and C 4 , halophytes are suitable for reclamation of degraded lands have been proven very useful in demonstration trials. The fresh biomass of investigated C 3 plants sharply decreased with the increasing of soil salinity gradient. An integrated Biosaline Agriculture model for sustainable and integrated use of marginal mineralised water resources and salt-affected soils through involvement of food-feed salt/drought tolerant crops and forage legumes to improve food security, alleviate poverty and enhance ecosystem health in smallholder crop-livestock systems has been demonstrated.

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Salt-affected lands in the Central Asian region demonstrate the most characteristic features of natural continental terrestrial salinization, sodication, and alkalinization. Low organic matter (<1.0%), high salt contents, and poor waterholding capacity render these soils unproductive. The predominant salinity type is sulfate-chloride. The Na , respectively. Available potassium is low or moderate. Vegetation richness, botanic species diversity, and plant biomass were well integrated with soil moisture and soil salinity. A linear regression equation between apparent soil electrical conductivity (EM38) and quantitative Na + accumulation for 0-75 cm ( r 2 = 0.88) soil pro fi les allowed us to identify the proportional contribution and interactive effects of each plant community

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