Using the Prosopis tree as a research opportunity

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Using the Prosopis tree as a research opportunity

Will the Prosopis tree be seen as an opportunity or will it be destructive to the environment and natural resources?

Prosopis (scientific name: Prosopis): The name of several species of desert trees that are found almost everywhere in the plains and streams, and at the base of mountains in arid regions of the world. Sometimes a limited number are also found on mountain peaks. The roots of the American Prosopis tree grow up to 80 meters vertically and 30 meters horizontally, and this strange growth causes.

The Prosopis tree grows in the tropical and subtropical regions of Iran, India, Australia, Latin America, South Africa, and in the scorching desert of the United Arab Emirates. It has the ability to withstand harsh weather conditions and grows in difficult conditions of water scarcity, with a percentage of soil salinity equal to that of seawater, and provides the most shade in tropical climates with minimal attention. Its crooked and twisted branches and lack of massive leaf loss in winter in tropical lands have made it a preferred urban tree in these climates. This tree is used in southwestern Iran to combat dust.

It is an ancient tree, reaching a height of about 10 meters, and sometimes up to 20 meters. In some desert areas, it may live for more than a thousand years.

The branches of this white tree are slightly grayish. Its green branches are used to feed livestock, especially goats, sheep, cows, and camels. The fruit of this tree is like Chinese beans, but thinner, which is also used to feed livestock. This tree is green in all seasons of the year.

This tree is drought tolerant, but it needs regular watering in the early stages of growth. In the first few years, water every two to four weeks to allow the roots to develop well. Once the tree is established, you can reduce watering intervals to once or twice a month. During dry seasons, it is essential to pay attention to soil moisture.

The best place to plant it is in arid and semi-arid areas with direct sunlight. The tree needs well-drained soil, such as sandy or loamy soil, and you should avoid waterlogged areas or heavy soils. It can also grow in nutrient-poor and saline soils, so it is great for stabilizing soil and preventing erosion. Choosing a location with sufficient distance from other trees and obstacles will help it grow better and develop roots.

This tree has many properties; its wood is durable and high-quality, its fruit is nutritious and edible, and its roots help stabilize the soil. It also absorbs moisture and improves soil quality in dry areas.

Various medicinal and therapeutic properties such as anti-diabetic, anti-lipid, anti-hepatitis, anti-convulsant, analgesic and antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, liver protective, anti-tumor, antimicrobial, antidepressant, and antioxidant have been reported for this plant.

The American species on the southern coast of Iran has had impacts including draining groundwater as the only source of drinking water for local communities and eliminating livestock feed, simplifying the ecosystem and reducing its diversity to just one tree species. Accordingly, the increase of this species is a serious alarm and a socio-economic threat.

It seems that considering the plant's resistance to heat and the umbrella-like canopy created by the branches and leaves of this tree, as well as some of the medicinal properties it possesses, it can be propagated in another way.Therefore, it is suggested that fruit trees such as Mulberry, salted almonds, Pomegranate, olive, Papaya, mango, fig, jujube, Parsley, Citrus fruits, etc. should be taken onto the Prosopis tree. Of course, this requires several years of research and study work to bring its pilot samples to fruition.

 

Taxonomy