Walnut: A Potential Crop for Improving Profitability and Reclamation of Lands

Because of urban development and changing land-usage, most of lands have deteriorated by human. In addition, natural disasters have exacerbated this problem. Trees with their strong root system have a key role in maintaining lands against destructive factors such as erosion and human activity and cultivation of trees will led to reclaiming lands. Walnut is one of the trees playing a main role in reclaiming lands. Iran is considered a biodiversity-hotspot of walnut in the world. There is a large natural and cultivated population of walnut in Iran. Native walnut trees are found in deep valleys in the “Kopet Dagh” Mountains, the quit dry region in the northern slopes. Natural walnut trees in the northern and western forests of the country not only protect lands, but also have a special role in the economy of local people. Because of wide and deep root system, walnut stabilizes and protects the soil from erosion. Furthermore, walnut is a multi-purpose tree that can be used for wood production in forest and as an ornamental plant in landscape design. Generally, existence of very old walnut trees with a minimum attention and conservation reveal that this tree can be cultivated in deteriorated lands not only to prevent soil erosion but also as a productive and lucrative product. If walnut trees yield in deteriorated lands is just one ton per hectare, its revenues will be 5 times higher than many annual crops.