Ecological and Agronomic Applications of Wild Almond Species in Arid Mountain Ecosystems

This study investigates the ecological and agronomic significance of wild almond species (Prunus spp.) native to the arid and mountainous regions of Southwest and Central Asia. Through rigorous field experiments and laboratory assessments, three principal findings emerge: (1) the presence of drought-resilient root microbiome associations in P. scoparia and P. turcomanica, (2) notable cold tolerance in P. fenzliana, and (3) the allelopathic potential of P. spinosissima that promotes beneficial soil microbial communities. These findings emphasize the suitability of wild almonds as resilient rootstocks for marginal landscapes and their role in sustainable agriculture, land rehabilitation and biodiversity conservation.