Talinum fruticosum: A Potential Multi-value Plant: A Review

Abstract

Talinum fruticosum (L.) Juss. is an underutilized plant which is distributed across world. It survives under varying soil types such as deep fertile soil, shallow rocky soil, salt affected soils, etc. Waterleaf occurs from sea level to 1000 m above MSL. Tolerance to drought is added advantage but, yield decreases with increasing water stress. It moderately tolerates salinity and sodicity of both soil and water. This plant can be exploited as plant for phytoremediation as it is capable to accumulate heavy metals, pollutants and minerals. It has significant potential to use it as fodder for cattle considering green biomass and nutritional composition. This plant can also be used as feed to chickens, rabbits and cattle. It is considered as palatable, leafy vegetable owing to nutritional and medicinal properties though it possess lesser amount of anti-nutritious components such saponin, oxalates and tannins. In view of above facts, waterleaf have the potential to be utilized as leafy vegetable for semiarid and humid conditions, quality green fodder for cattle, feed for rabbits and chicken, remediating polluted soils, reclamation and sustainable utilization of salt affected lands, tolerant plant for poor quality water, suitable to shallow soils besides using it as ornamental plant.