Technological Breakthrough for the Afforestation of Populus euphratica in the Mu Us Desert in China

Abstract

The Mu Us Desert (MUD) is one of the four largest sandy lands in China. On 22 April 2020, the Shaanxi Forestry Bureau announced that the desertification land control rate in Yulin reached 93.24%, which means that the Mu Us Desert was about to “disappear” from the territory of Shaanxi. However, the problem of biological diversity, mostly for Pinus sylvestris and shrubs in the Mu Us Desert, remains serious. In order to consolidate the current forest conservation efforts, Populus euphratica has been considered an ideal candidate since the 1950s. However, the low survival rate and conservation rate of Populus euphratica in the MUD led us to perform further large-scale introduction for over 70 years. In this study, by using root control seedling technology, the survival and the conservation rate of Populus euphratica were increased to more than 90%. This study makes possible the introduction of Populus euphratica in the MUD, and the successful introduction of Populus euphratica will provide a new barrier for forest ecosystem stability in the desertification control project in the Yulin area.

A Tree-Planting Vehicle for Promoting the Sustainable Development of Desert Greening

“…In contrast to natural factors, Zhang et al [12] believed that human factors are the primary and direct driving forces that cause the continuous increase in desertification areas. Recently, many scholars have continued to focus on controlling land desertification [14][15][16][17][18][19]. In these references, the primary governance methods are engineering construction and tree planting.…”

“…Scholars have provided a variety of plants suitable for planting in desert areas. Generally, Hedysarum scoparium, Caragana korshinskii, Artemisia desertorum, Oxytropis aciphylla, sea buckthorn, Haloxylon, Populus euphratica, bamboo willow, Pinus sylvestris, Hedysarum scoparium, Hedysarum mongolicum, Hippophae rhamnoides, and Salix psammophila are often used in tree plantation efforts worldwide [14][15][16][17]21]. Still, the climate, soil quality, moisture, and other factors in desert areas should be considered in actual selection.…”

“…Still, the climate, soil quality, moisture, and other factors in desert areas should be considered in actual selection. In addition, Tuo et al [14] provided several critical factors for tree plantation: (1) the robustness and integrity of the plant root system must be maintained; (2) specific pesticides (i.e., trichlorfon and cottonseed cake) must be used to prevent disease and insects; and (3) plants must be provided with sufficient nutrition supply. Besides, saplings need to be cultivated for 2-3 years before being used for tree plantation [14].…”

Research and Application of Factory Hydroponic Technology in Wheatgrass Greenhouse

“…Yulin is a major animal husbandry city, and the changes in animal husbandry pro-duction have a decisive impact on the agricultural sector and regional economic production in Yulin [1][2][3]. In recent years, with the continuous improvement of people's living standards, the diet structure of Chinese residents has undergone tremendous changes.…”

“…As an important source of nutrient intake, green feed plays a vital role in livestock feed [4]. However, under the macro policy of returning farmland to forests in Yulin area, closing mountains and prohibiting grazing, and the realistic pressure of the local winter is long and cold and cannot be planted for green feeding, the problem of herbivorous livestock falling out of winter has become a long and difficult problem, restricting the rapid development of local animal husbandry [2,7].…”