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Objective] In order to screen out the most suitable forage species and the best mixed sowing type, to provide scientific basis for ecological restoration of degraded grassland. [Method] The adaptability research of reseeding and mixed sowing of the 9 species of Cleistogenes songorica, Krascheninnikovia ceratoides, Artemisia desertorum, Agriophyllum squarrosum, Haloxylon ammodendron, Seriphidium nitrosum, Kochia prostrata, Sarcozygium xanthoxylon and Melilotus suaveolens in the temperate desert steppe at the northern foot of Qilian Mountains was conducted. The indexes of growth height, coverage and yield of different varieties and different mixed sowing combinations were investigated and recorded. [Result] The results showed that the growth and development performance of Cleistogenes songorica, Artemisia desertorum and Agriophyllum squarrosum were better than other varieties, and the grass yield was higher, were 6 680.5,5 329.5 and 5 259.0 kg/hm², respectively, with strong regional adaptability.Agriophyllum squarrosum + Krascheninnikovia ceratoides + Cleistogenes songorica + Melilotus suaveolens mixture and Cleistogenes songorica+Artemisia desertorum + Krascheninnikovia ceratoides + Seriphidium nitrosum mixture, could significantly increase the yield of grassland, and were the best type of mixed sowing for the restoration in degraded desert grassland. [Conclusion] The adaptability and yield of the Cleistogenes songorica, Artemisia desertorum and Agriophyllum squarrosum were good, so they could be used as the suitable grass species for desert steppe improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]