Atriplex Halimus Research Articles

ETHNOBOTANIC STUDY OF THE ATRIPLEX HALIMUS L. IN THE REGION OF SIDI BEL ABBES- WEST ALGERIAN

The Atriplex halimus L, whose vernacular name in Algeria « Guettaf », is a widespread palnt in the Sidi Bel Abbes region in western of Algeria. It is a plant species of the Chenopodiaceae family, much in demand by the population of the wilaya of Sidi Bel Abbes for the treatment of the genitourinary system, the digestive tract and its annexes, the cardiovascular and respiratory system. It is even indicated as hypoglycemic in diabetics.The objective of our study is an ethnobotanical investigation of the plant in question, where we will try to identify its common uses by the population of the region of Sidi Bel Abbes for healing purposes.Keywords: Atriplex halimus L, Chenopodiaceae, Treatment, Diseases, Ethnobotanical investigation.

Water use efficiency, growth and anatomic-physiological parameters of Mediterranean xerophytes as affected by substrate and irrigation on a green roof

The water use efficiency, growth and anatomic-physiological parameters of Mediterranean medicinal xerophytes on a green roof was investigated, under the effect of water stress and different types of substrate. Rooted cuttings of Convolvulus cneorum, Origanum dictamnus, Sideritis athoa, Atriplex halimus and Lomelosia cretica were planted on a roof in Athens, Greece. Two substrate types, 10 cm deep, were used, i.e. grape marc compost: perlite: soil: pumice (3:3:2:2, v/v) and a lighter one, i.e. grape marc compost: perlite: pumice (3:3:4, v/v). Two irrigation frequencies were applied during the dry period (summer), normal and sparse, when substrate moisture was 17-20% and 5-11%, respectively. Water use efficiency was increased by sparse irrigation in A. halimus and L. cretica and by soil substrate in C. cneorum. Sparse irrigation reduced dry weight in O. dictamnus, S. athoa and L. cretica and in A. halimus in combination with soilless substrate. It increased leaf thickness in all species and reduced Chlολ in all species, other than S. athoa, while in C. cneorum, O. dictamnus and L. cretica this was evident only in the presence of soil in the substrate. In summer, one d before irrigation, stomatal resistance (Rleaf) was increased and maximum quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSIIο) decreased indicating water limitation, while both parameters were restored to normal levels one d after irrigation indicating that both can serve as sensitive indicators of the onset of water stress. ΦPSIIο values, never fell to critical levels, excluding irreversible damage to the photosynthetic apparatus. Therefore, all five plant species are recommended for use on extensive green roofs in semi-arid areas.

Use of native plants and their associated bacteria rhizobiomes to remediate-restore Draa Sfar and Kettara mining sites, Morocco.

Soil and mine tailings are unreceptive to plant growth representing an imminent threat to the environment and resource sustainability. Using indigenous plants and their associated rhizobacteria to restore mining sites would be an eco-friendly solution to mitigate soil-metal toxicity. Soil prospection from Draa Sfar and Kettara mining sites in Morocco was carried out during different seasons for native plant sampling and rhizobacteria screening. The sites have been colonized by fifteen tolerant plant species having different capacities to accumulate Cu, Zn, and P in their shoots/root systems. In Draa Sfar mine, Suaeda vera J.F. Gmel., Sarcocornia fruticosa (L.) A.J. Scott., and Frankenia corymbosa Desf. accumulated mainly Cu (more than 90mg kg-1), Atriplex halimus L. accumulated Zn (mg kg-1), and Frankenia corymbosa Desf. accumulated Pb (14mg kg-1). As for Kettara mine, Aizoon canariense L. mainly accumulated Zn (270mg kg-1), whereas Forsskalea tenacissima L. was the best shoot Cu accumulator with up to 50mg kg-1, whereas Cu accumulation in roots was 21mg kg-1. The bacterial screening revealed the strains' abilities to tolerate heavy metals up to 50mg kg-1 Cu, 250mg kg-1 Pb, and 150mg kg-1 Zn. Isolated strains belonged mainly to Bacillaceae (73.33%) and Pseudomonadaceae (10%) and expressed different plant growth-promoting traits, alongside their antifungal activity. Results from this study will provide an insight into the ability of native plants and their associated rhizobacteria to serve as a basis for remediation-restoration strategies.

Recycled Wastewater and Reverse Osmosis Brine Use for Halophytes Irrigation: Differences in Physiological, Nutritional and Hormonal Responses of Crithmum maritimum and Atriplex halimus Plants

Halophytes are capable of coping with excessive NaCl in their tissues, although some species may differ in their degree of salt tolerance. In addition, it is not clear whether they can tolerate other confounding factors and impurities associated with non-conventional waters. The experiment was performed in a greenhouse with Crithmum maritimum and Atriplex halimus plants, growing on soil and irrigated with two different water types: reclaimed wastewater (RWW) (EC: 0.8–1.2 dS m−1) and reverse osmosis brine (ROB) (EC: 4.7–7.9 dS m−1). Both species showed different physiological and nutritional responses, when they were irrigated with ROB. Atriplex plants reduced leaf water potential and maintained leaf turgor as consequence of an osmotic adjustment process. Atriplex showed higher intrinsic water use efficiency than Crithmum, regardless of the type of water used. In Crithmum, the water status and photosynthetic efficiency were similar in both treatments. Crithmum presented a higher leaf accumulation of B and Ca ions, while Atriplex a higher amount of K, Mg, Na and Zn. Crithmum plants irrigated with ROB presented higher concentrations of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid and trans-zeatin-glucoside, whereas abscisic acid concentration was lower. Atriplex showed a lower concentration of trans-zeatin-riboside and scopoletin. The characteristics associated to water irrigation did not influence negatively the development of any of these species, which confirms the use of brine as an alternative to irrigate them with conventional waters.

Physiological Adaptation to Water Salinity in Six Wild Halophytes Suitable for Mediterranean Agriculture.

Owing to the high interspecific biodiversity, halophytes have been regarded as a tool for understanding salt tolerance mechanisms in plants in view of their adaptation to climate change. The present study addressed the physiological response to salinity of six halophyte species common in the Mediterranean area: Artemisia absinthium, Artemisia vulgaris, Atriplex halimus, Chenopodium album, Salsola komarovii, and Sanguisorba minor. A 161-day pot experiment was conducted, watering the plants with solutions at increasing NaCl concentration (control, 100, 200, 300 and 600 mM). Fresh weight (FW), leaf stomatal conductance (GS), relative water content (RWC) and water potential (WP) were measured. A principal component analysis (PCA) was used to describe the relationships involving the variables that accounted for data variance. A. halimus was shown to be the species most resilient to salinity, being able to maintain FW up to 300 mM, and RWC and WP up to 600 mM; it was followed by C. album. Compared to them, A. vulgaris and S. komarovii showed intermediate performances, achieving the highest FW (A. vulgaris) and GS (S. komarovii) under salinity. Lastly, S. minor and A. absinthium exhibited the most severe effects with a steep drop in GS and RWC. Lower WP values appeared to be associated with best halophyte performances under the highest salinity levels, i.e., 300 and 600 mM NaCl.

Diversity, Ecology and Therapeutic Properties of the Medicinal Plants in Ziban Region (Algeria)

With the aim to assess the floristic population diversity, distribution and therapeutic properties in the Ziban region (Algeria), a survey was conducted along two successive study years in the main area. The objective of this study was to contribute to the knowledge and description of this plant groups with exhaustive inventory spontaneous vegetation. In order to study the dynamics of medicinal plants, we used a quantitative method based essentially on the classic technique of linear surveys and floristic inventory using the minimum area method. The results showed that the floristic procession of medicinal plants is represented by 21 species belonging to the 13 families, with a total of 31 species for the 08 study stations, which represents 68% of the total procession. The results obtained showed that the overall recovery is higher at the Ain Ben Noui station with 69%, even if the clumps of Aristida pungens, Atractylis serratuloides and Atriplexhalimus are isolated and scattered. The lowest overall coverage at the Oumache station is less than 21%, as it is an area with sandy soils. The species that contribute most to the recovery of mobile sand accumulations is Astragalus armatus with a rate of 76.19% at the Ain Ben Noui station. Frequency results allowed us to say that Atriplex halimus and Zizyphus lotus are the ubiquitous species (100% of the surveys). On the other hand, Nitraria retusa, Teucrium polium, Shismus barbatus, Sueda mollis and Halocnemum strobilaceum are the species present in only one survey.

Nephroprotective role and antioxidant capacity of Atriplex halimus on carbon tetrachloride-induced kidney damage in rats

The aim of this work was to study the nephroprotective role and antioxidant capacity of Atriplex halimus aqueous leaves extract (AHAE) against carbon tetrachloride-induced kidney injury in rats. The experimental rats were randomized into four experimental groups of eight each: Group (C) served as a control received a normal diet, Group (CCl4) received a normal diet for 4 weeks and then was injected with one dose of 1.0 ml/kg body weight of carbon tetrachloride dissolved in olive oil (v/v) intraperitoneally, Group (AHAE + CCl4) received 200 mg/kg body weight of AHAE for 4 weeks and then was injected with one dose of 1.0 ml/kg body weight of carbon tetrachloride dissolved in olive oil (v/v) intraperitoneally, and Group (AHAE) received 200 mg/kg body weight of AHAE for 4 weeks. The AHAE nephroprotective effect was evaluated histopathologically and biochemically through measuring several indices in plasma, urine, and renal tissue homogenates. The results indicated that intraperitoneally injection of CCl4-induced severe kidney injury associated with oxidative stress by increased malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels and reduced the antioxidant defense system such as reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C (Vit C), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) compared with control group. The pretreatment with AHAE significantly restored the majority of these biochemical parameters to normal levels, as well as improved the histopathological changes compared with CCl4-treated group. The obtained results highlighted the potential use of AHAE as a source of bioactive compounds with pharmacological advantages.

Halophytes of the Mediterranean Basin-Underutilized Species with the Potential to Be Nutritious Crops in the Scenario of the Climate Change.

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.

Lactation performance of Awassi ewes fed diets containing either Atriplex halimus L. or olive cake

The objective of the two studies was to evaluate t effects of feeding on lactating Awassi ewes (study 1) and lambs (study 2), fed on a diet of Atriplex halimus L. (ATR) or olive cake (OC), as a foraging source substitute for wheat straw. In study 1, 33 newly lambed ewes and their lambs were randomly assigned one of three diets: The control diet (CON), 250 g/kg of OC, or 250 g/kg of ATR dry matter (DM). Ewes and lambs were housed in individual pens. Ewes fed CON diet had greater DM, neutral detergent fibre, and acid detergent fibre intakes than OC and ATR groups. Ether extract (EE) intake was greater (p < .0001) in OC diet compared to CON and ATR diets. Milk yield was similar (p = .99) among treatments. Content of milk total solids and fat were greater in ATR diet than CON and OC diets. Milk production cost was lower in the OC and ATR compared to the CON group. In study 2, 18 ewe lambs were assigned the same diets used in study 1 to evaluate the effects of OC and ATR on nutrient digestibility and N balance. Dry matter digestibility was greater in ATR compared to CON and OC groups. The digestibility of EE was greater in the OC group than in CON and ATR groups. Results showed that the inclusion of OC and ATR did not negatively impact lactation performance. Additionally, results proved the economic value of using such products, as they reduced the cost of milk production. Highlights Olive cake and Atriplex halimus L. were fed to Awassi ewes at a level of 250 g/kg of dietary DM. The inclusion of olive cake and A. halimus L. at 250 g/kg of dietary DM, as a source of fibre, did not negatively impact the lactation performance of sheep. Additionally, results proved the economic value of using such products, as they reduced the cost of milk production.

Food Additive (Sodium benzoate)-induced Damage on Renal Function and Glomerular Cells in Rats; Modulating Effect of Aqueous Extract of Atriplex halimus L.

The aim of the current study was to investigate the preventive and curative effect of Atriplex halimus L. (Ah) extract against the kidney damages induced by Sodium benzoate (SB) in rats. Thirty male albino rats were divided into five groups of 6 rats each: Control, Ah, SB, AhP+SB and SB+AhC. SB (100 mg/kg b.w) was added to drinking water for 15 weeks. Aqueous extract of aerial parts of Atriplex halimus received intragastrically during the last 30 days of SB exposure for curative treatment (AhC) and all the duration of SB exposure for preventive treatment (AhP). Some Biochemical markers, oxidative stress parameters and histopathology of kidney tissue were studied. Administration of Sodium benzoate to rats caused a loss of weight and a significant elevation in creatinine, urea, renal malondialdehyde levels and lactate dehydrogenase activity. These changes were accompanied by decreasing in antioxidant defenses, like reduced glutathione level, catalase and glutathione S transferase activities in the kidney. Histopathological studies showed a massive degeneration in kidney tissue in SB-exposed rats. However, treatment with Atriplex halimus (A. halimus) restored the altered of biochemical and oxidative stress markers. A. halimus also regenerated the architectural kidneys lesions to near control. With more protection offered in the curative than preventive models of treatment. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that Sodium benzoate damages kidney structure and function and is a nephrotoxic substance. Atriplex halimus was able to improve the renal damage as an antioxidant and a nephroprotective agent.

Ethnopharmacological study of herbal remedies used for the management of thyroid disorders in Algeria

Traditional medicine is gaining an increasing importance in diseases management. Besides, thyroid disease is one of the common endocrine disorders spreading at high frequency worldwide. The present work is an ethnopharmacological study aiming to identify, document and analyze aromatic and medicinal plants used in Algerian traditional medicines for thyroid disorders management. Semi-structured interviews with 120 herbalists and traditional practitioners and rural dwellers were realized in eleven locations in Algeria throughout field studies achieved from June 2017 to July 2019. Results reveal the use of 63 medicinal plants belonging to 59 genera and 34 families. The most represented botanical families were Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, Apiaceae, Amaranthaceae and Asteraceae. However, the most cited plant species were Atriplex halimus L., Bunium incrassatum (Boiss.) Amo, Nigella sativa L., Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. and Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch. These species are taken alone or in mixtures of two or more ingredients from different origins such as honey, olive oil, and goat milk. Our findings revealed new therapeutic uses of 60 medicinal plants that have not been previously reported for the treatment of thyroid in Algeria. This is the first study documenting the traditional uses based on herbal medicine for thyroid management in Algeria. Our findings are relevant in the search for novel drug discovery. Obviously, it is the time to increase effective scientific studies on mechanisms of action of these medicinal plants in order to validate their popular usages.

Influence of Cadmium on Growth and photosynthesis of Atriplex halimus L.

Heavy metals contamination of soil is a serious problem in recent times due to threat to plant growth, soil quality, animal and human health. However, the phytoremediation is a cost-effective and environment-friendly strategy for decontaminating heavy-metal-contaminated soil. Use of halophyte plant, Atriplex halimus L. for heavy metal remediation is of particular interest since this plant is naturally present in soils characterized by excess of toxic ions. In the present study, A. halimus was grown in hydroponic conditions to investigate the effect of cadmium chloride (CdCl2.5H2O) on growth, photosynthesis and Cd accumulation. Treatments were prepared by adding (0, 50, 250 and 500 μM) to the nutrient medium. The plants from the study species showed the ability to survive and grow under Cd concentrations of up to 500 μM. Although, concentrations of 50 μM and higher caused a decrease in growth and photosynthesis. Moreover, Cadmium induces a number of physiological changes, such as growth and photosynthesis inhibition. Therefore, a significant reduction in biomass production, the contents of Chl a, Chl b and Carotenoids were observed in Cd treated plants compared with the control plants. Whereas, the Translocation Factor were proportional to the initial concentration of metal in the growth medium. However, the low transfer of Cd from solution to above-ground organs at higher solution metal concentrations indicates an exclusion mechanism. Hence, A. halimus showed an intermediate level of tolerance according to the imposed treatments. The outcome of this study corroborate that the Atriplex halimus is a suitable candidate for the phytoremediation of Cadmium contaminated soil.

Characterization of ligno-cellulosic fiber extracted from Atriplex halimus L. plant

Lignocellulosic fiber extracted from saltbush (Atriplex halimus L.) is characterized as reinforcement of composite materials. The morphological, physical, thermal and mechanical properties of fibers were addressed for the first time in this paper. The fibers were also subjected to chemical analysis. Stems were boiled in 0.5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or 10% sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Optical and scanning electron microscopy images show an abundance of fiber in the form of thick-walled polygonal tubes. NaOH treatment yielded rough-surfaced fibers whereas the NaHCO3 treatment yielded smooth-surfaced fiber. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed that NaOH treatment removed amorphous components. Based on x-ray diffraction, the crystallinity index increased from 55% to 57%. Thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry showed that the fiber was thermally stable up to 220 °C and 235 °C with activation energies of 56 kJ/mol and 72 kJ/mol respectively for bicarbonate-treated and NaOH-treated material. In single-fiber tensile tests, the latter was stronger, with a Young's modulus of up to 19 GPa and tensile strength of 229 MPa.

Anatomical Response of Atriplex Leaves under Different Levels of Sodium Chloride Salinity

Salinity causes physiological, morphological, and anatomical modifications in Mediterranean saltbush Atriplex halimus and giant saltbush Atriplex nummularia. Both species, which belong to Chenopodiaceae, are true xerophyte as shown from Kranz-anatomy and salt storage trichromes. Response of both species to salinity were differed according to genetic structures. Atriplex species leaves characteristic by presence of salt accumulating cells on upper and lower leaf epidermis, which have ecological significance. Increasing of salinity had negative effect on anatomical measurements of A. halimus leaves. However, low level of salinity had positive effect in A. nummularia leaves, but high level of had negative effect on leaves.

Mineral composition of Atriplex halimus plant as influenced by genotype and thermal regime

Atriplex halimus grows in humid and saline warm regions of Mediterranean area showing high adaptability but less information is available on resistance to chilling temperatures. Potted plants of five clones (MAR1, GIO1, SAN3, PAL1, and FAN3) were cultivated during 30 months in four localities (Oristano, Tempio, Sassari, and Villasor). Every 6 months, leaves, stems and roots of plants were the object of mineral composition analysis (N, P, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn). During the experiment, air temperature was recorded and hour degrees sums calculated for thresholds ranging from 0 °C to 35 °C. Leaves showed highest content of all elements, with the exception of iron. Plants showed ability to accumulate mineral elements in a synergic or antagonistic way. Accumulation of chilling hour degrees positively correlated with calcium in leaves and stems, and with manganese in the whole plant. Sodium in leaves, instead, was favored by high temperatures, which are unfavorable to nitrogen accumulation in roots. Magnesium accumulation in leaves and roots enhanced with moderately high temperatures. Two of the tested clones (GIO1 and SAN3) showed a relative low adaptability to the coldest conditions. The other three clones provided better performances with the best behavior of PAL1.

The ability of tanniniferous legumes to reduce methane production and enhance feed utilization in Barki rams: in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Abstract Two experiments (in vitro and in vivo evaluation) were conducted to evaluate the ability of three different tanniniferous legumes to replace berseem hay on ruminal fermentation, digestibility and methane (CH4) emission. Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) hay (BH) was considered as control, or replaced at 50 % with Acacia saligna (AS), Leucaena leucocephala (LL) or Atriplex halimus (AH) on a DM basis. In Experiment 1 (in vitro evaluation), in vitro ruminal degradability, gas and CH4 production were measured. In Experiment 2 (in vivo evaluation), twelve Barki rams weighing 43.29 ± 0.13 kg were randomly assigned into 4 treatments and individually fed the BH, AS and LL diets for 30 days (21 days for adaptation, 7 days for digestibility and N balance and the subsequent 2 days for CH4 measurements). Results of Experiment 1 showed that AS, LL and AH diets decreased (P

Assisted phytoremediation of lead contaminated soil using Atriplex halimus and its effect on some soil physical properties

Lead is one of the most harmful trace elements found in soils. Despite reductions in environmental lead exposure, an historical lead pollution continues affecting soils in many areas. To mitigate the impact of lead, phytoremediation assisted with addition of chelating agents can be a suitable option. In order to evaluate the phytostabilization and/or phytoextraction capacity of Atriplex halimus, a pot assay with six phytoremediation treatments was established using different combination of two chelating agents (citric acid and fulvic acids), a composted substrate as organic amendment and a soil highly contaminated with lead (2952 ± 280 mg Pb kg−1, pH 6.30 ± 0.13) collected in the Valparaiso Region, Central Chile. Chelating agents were applied to irrigation water considering a concentration of 4 g L−1, while the organic amendment was applied at the beginning of the assay (dose of 5% v/v). After 180 days, the addition of the chelating agents significantly increased the Pb concentrations in tissues, an effect that was enhanced by application of the organic amendment, reaching concentrations of 32, 42, and 360 mg Pb kg−1 in leaves, stems, and roots, respectively. The treatments considered the addition of fulvic acids showed higher total plant dry weight levels (16.4 and 18.2 g, respectively) compared to the rest, which ranged from 8.3 to 10.0 g. With respect to soil physical properties, chelating agents increased microaggregate stability, but fulvic acids addition significantly decreased the soil available water. In general, Atriplex halimus demonstrated good potential for the phytostabilization of lead contaminated soils and a limited phytoextraction capacity.

Studying the Interaction Between Asphondylia punica and Its Host Plant, Atriplex halimus, and Predicting Their Potential Geographic Distribution in Egypt by Using Maxent Technique

Studying the Interaction Between Asphondylia punica and Its Host Plant, Atriplex halimus, and Predicting Their Potential Geographic Distribution in Egypt by Using Maxent Technique

Green composites based on Atriplex halimus fibers and PLA matrix

Abstract This work focuses on the potential use of cellulose fibers extracted from Mediterranean saltbush (Atriplex halimus) as a filler in the polymeric matrix. The fully biodegradable composites were prepared from polylactic acid (PLA) as matrix and microcellulose fibers ranging from 0 to 15 wt.%. The influence of the fiber content on the structure, mechanical, thermal, and water absorption properties was evaluated. Mechanical results indicated that fibers acted effectively as reinforcement, increasing the tensile strength and the Young’s modulus of PLA by 25 and 45%, respectively. This is due to the good stress transfer between fibers and matrix through the strong interactions that have been evidenced by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The thermogravimetric analysis showed that PLA composites have a slightly lower degradation temperature than the pure PLA, but they still have favorable thermal stability. Water absorption measurements and biodegradability tests showed that the addition of fibers accelerates degradation kinetics and confirm that the prepared composites are an environmentally safe material suited for different applications.

Revegetation of marginal saline rangelands of southern Tunisia using pastoral halophytes

Revegetation of marginalised rangelands using pastoral halophytes is considered an appropriate scientific and environmental approach to rehabilitation. Atriplex halimus L. (Amaranthaceae), A. mollis Desf. (Amaranthaceae), Cenchrus ciliaris L. (Poaceae) and Lotus creticus L. (Fabaceae) are promising species for arid rangeland rehabilitation, because of their adaptation and palatability. Dry biomass, in vitro digestibility, ash, nitrogen, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and lignin of 50% aboveground biomass (upper half of tufts assumed to be the firstly consumed parts by livestock) of these species were evaluated in the Sidi Makhlouf region of southern Tunisia, during December 2015, June 2016 and December 2016. Digestibility increased with nitrogen content and both of these variables are decreasing when the dry matter and fibre contents increased. Four groups of species were obtained, based on digestibility and nitrogen and lignin contents. A. halimus and L. creticus harvested in the winter of 2015 have superior forage quality. A. mollis was better able to regenerate after winter harvest. Forage quality of C. ciliaris and L. creticus decreased with seasonal variation. The rehabilitation of marginal saline dryland remains possible with local pastoral halophytes that produce good forage quality and may provide many economic and environmental benefits for local users.