Engineering development of a specialized seeder for the mechanized restoration of degraded pastures in Uzbekistan.

This study aimed to develop and evaluate a mechanized approach for restoring degraded
natural pastures in the arid regions of Uzbekistan through the sowing of native drought-resistant
desert plants.The study focused on saxaul, cherkez, and izen (prutnyak), selected for their adaptation
to dry conditions and potential for improving vegetation cover and stabilizing degraded sandy soils.
Field and laboratory investigations were conducted to assess seed quality and evaluate a specialized
seeder developed for the mechanized sowing of saxaul and izen seed material. The proposed
seeding technology and technical solutions are protected by Republic of Uzbekistan Patents No.
FAP 2670 and FAP 3044. The experimental results showed that the prepared seed material had a
purity of 20–25% and a germination capacity of 40–45%. The developed seeder was designed to
provide continuous seed flow, controlled seed placement, and uniform distribution under sandy-soil
conditions while accounting for the specific physical and mechanical properties of the seed material.
The findings demonstrate the technical feasibility of using specialized mechanized seeding equipment
for establishing native desert vegetation on degraded pasturelands. The proposed approach provides
a technological basis for improving vegetation establishment, reducing soil exposure to degradation,
and supporting the restoration of arid and semi-arid pasture ecosystems.