Halophyte Common Ice Plants: A Future Solution to Arable Land Salinization

Abstract

The problems associated with the salinization of soils and water bodies and the increasing competition for scarce freshwater resources are increasing. Current attempts to adapt to these conditions through sustainable agriculture involves searching for new highly salt-tolerant crops, and wild species that have potential as saline crops are particularly suitable. The common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) is an edible halophyte member of the Aizoaceae family, which switches from C3 photosynthesis to crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) when exposed to salinity or water stress. The aim of this review was to examine the potential of using the ice plant in both the wild and as a crop, and to describe its ecology and morphology, environmental and agronomic requirements, and physiology. The antioxidant properties and mineral composition of the ice plant are also beneficial to human health and have been extensively examined.

Salinity and Salt-Priming Impact on Growth, Photosynthetic Performance, and Nutritional Quality of Edible Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.

“…Native to southern and eastern Africa, M. crystallinum L. (common ice plant) is a facultative halophyte, which means saline is not a physical requirement for growth [ 1 ]. However, some researchers consider that M. crystallinum L. belongs to the group “obligatory” halophytes, which requires saline environments for optimal growth [ 2 ]. It has high economical value as it has many important uses.…”

Optimum growth and quality of the edible ice plant under saline conditions

“…However, the ice plant is known as a functional food. [58][59][60] It is rich in dietary antioxidant compounds (polyphenolic compounds, vitamin, and ascorbic acid) and endogenous antioxidant enzymes which protect the organism against oxidation damage. 61 In this work, improvements were found regarding both ascorbic acid and vitamin C in M. crystallinum leaves that were cultivated with salinity compared to the control treatments.…”

Alteration in phenological parameters, above‐ and belowground biomass, nutrient contents, and their pools with phenological stages of Salicornia brachiata Roxb

“…Joshi (1982) also found higher salt content during monsoon in the case of S. brachiata when plants were green and succulent. The color of S. brachiata changed from green to red through yellowish‐green and reddish‐green coloration which is due to the increased concentration of pigments like carotenoids and betacyanins (Hörtensteiner & Lee, 2007; Loconsole et al, 2019). It is documented in Suaeda salsa that the accumulation of red‐colored pigments (betacyanins) increased during salinity stress (Wang et al, 2006).…”