Halophytes are plants that are adapted to saline soils in their natural habitats because they are salt tolerant. They are found in a range of environments with varied salinity and climatic conditions. These plant species can be irrigated with saline water and cultivated on saline soils that are unsuitable for commercial crops. Halophytes are rich in nutrients, such as antioxidants, fatty acids and amino acids, and many species have been used traditionally as herbs and vegetables, feed and fodder. Therefore, halophytes are considered one of the alternative solutions to problems related to food security, fresh water scarcity, salinization and diversification of diets for healthier nutrition. However, despite the promising future for multiple uses of halophytes, many problems related to halophyte cultivation for human and animal consumption and their commercialization have still not been tackled. This chapter is intended to provide an overview of the development of halophytes as vegetable, feed and fodder, and to highlight the importance of creating a demand in the marketplace for halophyte consumption.

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Chemical defoliation is a necessary pre‐harvest practice in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production in California, and all harvest aid efforts require proper timing to preserve cotton lint yield and quality. Generally, cotton growers are advised to begin defoliation as early as possible, but not so early that they cause yield and quality loss. In order to have confidence in this final pre‐harvest step, growers monitor the growth stage of their crop by counting the number of nodes above cracked boll (NACB). In California, it is common practice to apply the first defoliant treatment at 4 NACB, which corresponds with the US Cotton Belt's recommended timing, which is when 60% of the harvestable bolls are open (9,20). It can be beneficial to have an early defoliant application because often it leads to an earlier harvest. This early harvest allows cotton growers to conduct their harvest prior to the onset of adverse late‐season fog or rains that can occur in California's San Joaquin Valley and make harvests more difficult. The objective of this research on San Joaquin Valley Acala cotton was to compare the impact of different rates of Ginstar (thidiazuron/diuron) or Ginstar plus Finish (ethephon/cyclanilide) on defoliation, yield, and fiber quality of cotton when defoliant applications were initiated at the earlier 6 NACB timing, which corresponds to 40% open boll versus the common 4 NACB timing. Starting the defoliation process with an Acala cultivar at 6 NACB instead of at 4 NACB did not significantly affect yield or cotton HVI (high volume instrument) fiber quality characteristics. Earlier defoliation could be of significant benefit in years when later‐maturing crops or worsening harvest‐season weather necessitate the initiation of an earlier harvest.

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WideStrike® Acala cotton is a two-gene, in-plant trait that provides broad-spectrum and season-long control of lepidopteran insect pests, and the varieties available in California also have resistance to glyphosate. There have been indications that WideStrike cotton has some glufosinate tolerance as well, so the level of tolerance to glufosinate needed to be ascertained. A 2-yr (2008 and 2009) study was conducted in California to evaluate the potential crop injury caused by three different rates (0.59, 0.88, and 1.76 kg ai ha−1) of glufosinate–ammonium at four different growth stages (cotyledon, 2-node, 5- to 6-node, and 18- to 19-node stages) of WideStrike Acala cotton. The effects of these treatments on the cotton plants and yield were closely monitored. Glyphosate at 1.54 kg ae ha−1 was applied at all cotton growth stages as a standard application, and a nontreated control was included. The greatest level of injury (58%) was observed with the highest rate of glufosinate applied at both the cotyledon and the two-node stage of cotton. However, injury was less than 10% following glufosinate at 0.59 kg ha−1 applied at the 18- to 19-node stage. The level of injury increased with the higher application rate of glufosinate at all crop growth stages. In 2008 and 2009, the glufosinate treatments had no effect on cotton lint yield. Therefore, the study showed that glufosinate can be applied safely topically at 0.59 kg ha−1 at the cotyledon- to 2-node stage or as POST-directed spray between the 5- to 19-node stages. Although injury occurred at this rate, the plants recovered within 2 to 3 wk of the treatment. Increasing glufosinate rates beyond 0.59 kg ha−1 can increase the possibility of greater crop injury.