Current scenario and future prospects of Halo...

Current scenario and future prospects of Halophytes for facilitating agricultural and environmental sustainability: A review

Author Name : Raj Rani, Sulekha Chahal

ABSTRACT Salinity is an important abiotic stress influencing plant growth and farming productivity across the globe. Halophytes are a unique group of plants that are salt tolerant and have specific physiological, biochemical, and molecular attributes that promote their growth and development in saline conditions. The present study presents a review of various mechanisms by which halophytes achieve salinity tolerance that can be explored subsequently for development of salt-tolerant crops to support sustainable climate-resilient ecosystems.  The various mechanisms by which halophytes achieve salinity tolerance are osmotic adjustment via accumulation of compatible solutes; ion compartmentation, Na⁺/H⁺ antiporters and selective transporters; and improved antioxidant defense systems to cope with oxidative stress induced by saline stress. Structural features in halophytes are another key form of adaptation; for example, succulence exhibited in leaves or stems and salt glands or bladders. Stress-response genes and transcription factors regulate adaptive responses. The study further presents the appraisal for credible applications of halophytes in phytoremediation, bioenergy production and saline-based agriculture to enhance management of saline-impacted land and soil.