Four-winged saltbush is a xerophytic or mesophytic plant, preferring sunlight and intolerant of shade and humidity. Its root system is well-developed, with one-year-old seedlings' roots reaching 3 to 4 meters deep, and two-year-old plants' roots extending to 4 to 6 meters, about five times the plant's height. Not only can it grow in arid and semi-arid regions, but it also thrives in harsh ecological environments such as deserts, plateaus, and saline-alkali wastelands. It can grow normally in areas with an annual precipitation of less than 350mm, with extreme temperatures ranging from -35°C to -42°C and a maximum temperature of 45°C. Moreover, it grows rapidly in its early stages.
Four-winged saltbush boasts salt and alkali resistance, drought tolerance, cold resistance, rich nutrition, and a wide range of suitable habitats. By combining China's strategic planning with the climatic and soil environments of the western regions, we are intensifying regional promotion. It will play an invaluable role in improving barren hills and lands in the northwest, conserving water, soil and water conservation, as well as in road and community greening.

The value and excellent characteristics of Suaeda salsa, commonly known as four-winged sagebrush, are primarily fourfold: Firstly, it is drought and cold-resistant, thriving well in arid and semi-arid deserts with an average annual precipitation of 350mm, an average annual temperature of around 5°C, and an extreme low temperature of -40°C. Secondly, it is salt-tolerant; trials have shown that it grows well in soil with a salinity of 1.3%. Planting one acre (equivalent to 6 mu) of Suaeda salsa can absorb over a ton of salt from the soil in a year, reducing the salinity to a level suitable for growing other crops in abandoned farmlands. Suaeda salsa is an excellent plant for soil improvement in saline and alkaline areas, sometimes referred to as a "biological desalinator" for transforming saline wastelands. Thirdly, it is nutrient-rich and an excellent forage shrub. After regrowing in spring, it grows rapidly, forming a forest within the same year. Its extensive root system includes nitrogen-fixing nodules. It can be harvested three times a year, offering considerable forage yield and nutritional value, and the salty taste of Suaeda salsa is favored by livestock. It also has the ability to accumulate selenium, further enhancing feed quality. With strong recovery capabilities and resistance to browsing, it is significantly superior to other forage plants, making it a valuable forage shrub in desert, semi-desert, and arid regions. Fourthly, it has a wide range of adaptability and is an excellent species for soil and water conservation and desertification control. Suaeda salsa can grow not only in land with better soil and water conditions but also in harsh environments such as arid deserts, loess plateaus, saline wastelands, and sandy soils. Since the 1990s, it has been planted and tested in Xining and Qaidam regions, including areas around Dulan and Golmud, where it grows well, serving as an excellent species for soil and water conservation, pasture improvement, and desert transformation. It grows rapidly in its early stages, allowing for early canopy closure. The western part of our country, which is characterized by arid and semi-arid climates, poor ecological and climatic conditions, barren hills and ravines, extensive desertification, low forest coverage, severe soil erosion and desertification, and low land use efficiency, is highly suitable for planting Suaeda salsa.

Four-winged saltbush is highly versatile and its advantages are irreplaceable by many tree species. The northwestern region of our country is severely desertified, with serious soil erosion and pasture degradation, resulting in extremely poor ecological environment. Hebei, Beijing, and Tianjin often suffer from sandstorms. Four-winged saltbush is a species used for sand source, land desertification control, and windbreaks. It can be propagated by seeds (with a very low germination rate) and hard, tender branch cuttings. Each seedling can produce 15 new plants in a year, with low investment, rapid growth, and significant economic benefits.

Four-winged saltbush is a valuable and excellent forage shrub for desert, semi-desert, and mountain arid lands, with good palatability for livestock. Its branches and leaves contain over 12% crude protein (with leaves containing 21.64% and branches containing 8.32%). High in protein content, it makes excellent feed for cattle and sheep. Its feed value and meat yield are comparable to several common feed types (see table). Additionally, with a biomass of up to 23 tons per hectare, it is less likely to be buried by snow during winter and spring, thereby enhancing the pastoral areas' resistance to "white disaster." Establishing a shrub forage forest of four-winged saltbush is of great significance in regions with arid climates, low grassland productivity, and severe shortages of livestock feed. China currently faces a significant gap in feed supply. Statistics show that the annual demand for feed in China is about 200 million tons, but the total production is only around 74 million tons.
Four-winged saltbush inoculated with Cistanche deserticola yields more than double that of hedgehog cistanche, and its effective component content is equivalent to more than five times that of hedgehog cistanche.