Halophytes for bio-saline agro-forestry and phyto-remediation of coastal saline lands

Abstract

The article discusses the importance of halophytes and some salt tolerant plants in remediation of saline soils. Many crops cannot be grown on a salt affected land but nature has provided us with a unique group of plants that is, halophytes. Halophytes, plants that survive to reproduce in environments where the salt concentration is around 200 mM NaCl or more, constitute about 1% of the world’s flora. Some halophytes show optimal growth in saline conditions; others grow optimally in the absence of salt. However, the tolerance of all halophytes to salinity relies on controlled uptake and compartmentalization of Na+, K+ and Cl” and the synthesis of organic ‘compatible’ solutes, even where salt glands are operative. The cultivation of economically useful halophytes have potential to remediate saline wastelands and to meet the demands for fodder, fuel, etc from saline lands and thereby helping the faming community to improve livelihood.