Abstract
Halophyte plants are adapted to saline environments and represent a novel type of crops given their possible uses at both culinary and industrial levels. In this work, the nutritional quality of different Mediterranean halophyte species, Atriplex halimus, Salicornia fruticosa, and Cakile maritima, was evaluated under conditions of high salinity. For this, plants were grown at different NaCl concentrations (0, 100, 200, and 300 mM) and the contents of proteins, total lipids, polyphenols, and mineral elements were analyzed as well as growth. Of the three species, C. maritima was the most sensitive to salt stress and therefore showed the highest phenolic compounds content. By contrast, whereas salinity increased the amounts of proteins and phenolics with respect to the control in A. halimus and S. fruticosa, it decreased them in C. maritima. Plants of A. halimus accumulated higher amounts of Na+ in their leaves, but the level of this ion, considering human consumption, was below that of other culinary halophyte species. In conclusion, all the results indicate that these three halophyte species grown at high salt levels represent optimal crops for—new foodstuff—production as green salt or spice due to their nutritional potential.
Highlights
Soil and water salinization is an increasing problem worldwide [1,2]
The adverse effects of salinity on plant growth are (1) water stress produced by the decrease in the osmotic potential of the soil solution, (2) nutritional imbalance, (3) salt stress caused by the specific effect of ions, or (4) the combination of any of these factors [5,6]
While the RGR in Atriplex halimus and Salicornia fruticosa was enhanced with salinity, in Cakile maritima, RGR was decreased with the increase in salinity
Summary
Soil and water salinization is an increasing problem worldwide [1,2]. Salinization has been widely studied and previous authors have already alerted society of how this problem can influence the future of humanity. Progressive salinization of arable land has become one of the most important and global factors contributing to land degradation, especially in arid and semi-arid zones. Salinity affects plant growth and water and nutrient uptake of glycophytes [4]. The adverse effects of salinity on plant growth are (1) water stress produced by the decrease in the osmotic potential of the soil solution, (2) nutritional imbalance, (3) salt stress caused by the specific effect of ions, or (4) the combination of any of these factors [5,6]. Halophytes can grow at high levels of salinity, being defined as plants that live in naturally saline habitats or that complete their life-cycle at a salt concentration of at least 200 mM
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
