Halophytes- Alternative Food Crops from Saline and Coastal Habitats

Kaladharan, P and Baby UshaKiran, M S (2015) Halophytes- Alternative Food Crops from Saline and Coastal Habitats. In: Climate Resilient Crops for the Future. New India Publishing Agency, New Delhi, pp. 121-132. ISBN 9789383305599

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Abstract

Halophytes are salt-resistant or salt-tolerant plants which thrive and complete their life cycles in terrestrial or aquatic habitats having high salt concentrations. Aronson (1989) compiled a partial list of halophytes containing 1560 species in 550 genera and 117 families. Menzel and Lieth (1999) listed as many as 2600 plants under salt tolerant flora. Although halophytes represent only 2% of terrestrial plant species, they are present in about half the higher plant families and represent a wide diversity of plant forms. Because of their diversity, halophytes are regarded as a rich source of potential new crops. Halophytes are tested as vegetables, fodder and oilseed crops under field trials. The oilseed halophyte, Salicornia bigelovii, yields 2 tones/ha of seed containing 28% oil and 31% protein, similar to soybean yield and seed quality.

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