Halophytes play important role in phytoremediation of salt-affected soils in the bed of Urmia Lake, Iran

Abstract

Soil salinity is a major threat in agriculture even in semi-arid regions of the world which can accelerate land degradation and desertification and decrease agricultural productivity and consequently jeopardize environmental and food security. Halophytes play important role in phytoremediation. This study is assessed the potential of Halocnemum strobilaceous, Atriplex verruciferae, Salsola crassae, and Salicornia europaeae in phytoremediation of saline soils occurred after water level desiccation of Urmia Lake. Three distances from the water body (500, 1000, and 1500 m) was selected for evaluating. Soils and plants were analyzed using standard methods. The mean values of salinity indices of the saline-sodic soil samples were identified as pH 8.6 and electrical conductivity (ECe) 65.34 dS m−1, also sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) were higher than 13 and 15%, respectively. The maximum soil exchangeable Na+, K+, and Ca2+ concentrations (7200, 1900, and 1400 mg kg−1, respectively), also the concentrations of Mn2+ (12.5 mg kg−1), Fe2+ (5.5 mg kg−1), and Cu2+ (1.5 mg kg−1), were significantly different at various distances. However, the highest amounts were obtained at 500 m. In addition the concentration of Fe2+ (511.85 mg kg−1), Zn2+ (99.97 mg kg−1), and Na+ (25.65 mg kg−1) was the highest, especially in shoots. Furthermore, Salicornia and Halocnemum were more effective in salinity-remediation in comparison to other halophytes. The maximum dry matter (38%), protein (16%), and oil percentage (3.5%) were found in Salicornia, followed by Halocnemum. The findings indicated that salt-accumulating halophytes could be considered as the suggestions for phytoremediation saline soils and desalinating soil in arid and semi-arid regions.

Agro-Physiological and Genetic Characterization of Halophyte Species and Their Impact on Salt-Affected Soil

“…The soil analysis results differed after the fifth cutting of halophyte plants from before their transplantation, as shown in Table 3 (Li et al, 2019). Hence, these plants can be phytoremediation (Arrekhi et al, 2021;Ahmadi et al, 2022).…”

Comparative metabolomic analysis between tomato and halophyte plants under intercropping conditions

“…Halophytes are considered a valuable tool for soil phytoremediation in arid and semi-arid regions, contributing to food security and diversification (Ahmadi et al, 2022;Cust odio et al, 2023). Moreover, taking into account that halophytes are the source of commercial products of interest, with multiple applications in food, animal feeding, and pharma and cosmetic industries, they can be considered as a value-added crop (Cust odio et al, 2023;Simpson et al, 2018).…”

“…To develop more sustainable agriculture in the context of global climate change, the development of new farming systems is a must. In this sense, the introduction of halophytes in agriculture may help develop sustainable and profitable farming practices.Halophytes are considered a valuable tool for soil phytoremediation in arid and semi-arid regions, contributing to food security and diversification (Ahmadi et al, 2022;Cust odio et al, 2023). Moreover, taking into account that halophytes are the source of commercial products of interest, with multiple applications in food, animal feeding, and pharma and cosmetic industries, they can be considered as a value-added crop (Cust odio et al, 2023;Simpson et al, 2018).The intercropping of cash crops and halophytes may constitute a valuable approach for stress mitigation in salt-affected areas since halophytes can effectively remove salts from the environment, enhancing crop production (Simpson et al, 2018).…”