The Potential of Edible Halophytes as New Crops in Saline Agriculture

Abstract

A growing population will result in an increased food global demand, with climate change representing a further threat especially in areas affected by salinity. The domestication of edible species that have naturally adapted to saline environments, namely halophytes, represents an interesting tool for sustainable agriculture in saline environments. Common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) shows a potential to be grown as a vegetable crop in salt-affected areas. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate its crop potential and the effects of salinity on the physiological adaptation and nutritive value of the crop. According to the obtained results, it seems possible to cultivate M. crystallinum for saline agriculture, at salinities up to ECw values of 20–35 dS m−1. Also, salinity increased the edible leaves fresh and dry weight, extended the species growing season, thus increasing its potential harvest and improved nutritional characteristics such as calcium and carotenoids concentration.