Perspectives of Licorice Production in Harsh Environments of the Aral Sea Regions

Abstract

Along with pharmacological applications due to bioactive elements such as flavonoids and glycyrrhizin, licorice has positive influences on the rehabilitation, rejuvenation, and management of salt-affected degraded lands in arid regions. These features made this plant widely appreciated worldwide when climate change is showing detrimental impacts for crop production and food security. However, a growing demand followed by irrational harvesting of wild licorice plants has led to substantial dwindling of its natural habitat. There is an increasing need to protect the plant biodiversity since sustainability can be a problem with wild harvesting. Therefore, it is important to investigate cultivation technologies of licorice under harsh environments, while this plant can adapt to a wide range of climates. Thus, in this review, we studied, analyzed and summarized the literature on licorice cultivation methods counteracting the most common environmental stresses in the Aral Sea region. Particularly, the current knowledge was rationalized regarding on cultivation technologies for alleviating salt stress thereby improving crop production. We also highlighted that future research directions on licorice breeding and genomics that might facilitate to produce more resilient and sustainable licorice genotypes to renovate agricultural productivity under disastrous ecology and climate change of the arid regions. Whereas this area possesses all prerequisite conditions needed for successful cultivation of the alternative cash crop.

Establishment of an Ex Situ Collection of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. as a Prerequisite for Field Cultivation in Bulgaria

“…For seed propagation to become applicable in commercial licorice cultivation, a drastic increase in seed germination is required [24]. Some authors succeeded in overcoming seed dormancy by using chemical scarification with sulfuric acid solutions and achieved over 90% germinated seeds [25].…”

“…According to some authors, licorice has good adaptive properties in terms of average annual air temperature (5-25 • C), annual rainfall (between 400 and 1160 mm) and soil pH (5.7-8.2) and prefers deep and well-drained site soils, such as sandy soils, which are suitable for its normal growth, but it also develops well on rich chernozems [24]. All soil samples ranged from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, which is appropriate for the species [24] and is consistent with the data of other authors for the soils of these classes [33]. Some authors stated that rainfall, geographic location and altitude also affect glycyrrhizin biosynthesis, although genetic diversity is the main reason for the significant variation in its content [8].…”

Crop Diversification in the Aral Sea Region: Long-Term Situation Analysis

“…Among the major problems that affect farmers' livelihoods in the Aral Sea regions are income variability, food availability, and nutritional instability [14]. Moreover, soil salinization, persistent weather degradation, poor water quality, and lack of water resources are the most significant risks experienced by farmers to facilitate proper crop diversification.…”

Introducing the glycyrrhizic acid and glabridin rich genotypes from the cultivated Iranian licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) populations to exploit in production systems

“…Drastic reduction in the wild resources of the licorice has happened in China, Middle East and Eurasia countries 25 . The licorice cultivation in the Aral Sea regions in Uzbekistan is also a successful example of the cultivation of this plant in harsh environmental conditions 26 .…”