Potential of Halophytes as Sustainable Fodder Production by Using Saline Resources: A Review of Current Knowledge and Future Directions

Abstract

Good quality water and arable land are required for both domestic and agricultural uses. Increasing population leads to urbanization and industrialization increasing the need to share these resources and creating threats to the food supply. Higher meat consumption requires mitigation strategies to protect food and mitigate economic crises, especially in developing nations. The production of food crops for energy purposes and lower yield due to climate change increase food prices as well as have a negative impact on the economy. Thus, an alternative food source is required featuring high forage components to reduce grazing periods and to prevent rangeland degradation. Halophytes can tolerate high salinity and can be easily grown for fodder in coastal areas where fodder is a problem. Varied climate conditions offer opportunities to grow suitable halophytes for specific purposes. One important feature is their use as fodder. To reduce food shortages, saline areas could be used to grow nutritive and productive halophytic forage. Wild plants have undesirable metabolites produced in harsh conditions which may be harmful for ruminant health. Halophytes have moderate amounts of these metabolites which are nontoxic. Halophytes can be grown without intruding on agricultural lands and freshwater resources and could promote livestock production which may improve the socio-economic conditions of poor farmers in a sustainable and ecofriendly manner.

Revitalization Potential of Marginal Areas for Sustainable Rural Development in the Puglia Region, Southern Italy: Part I: A Review

“…These characteristics make Halophytes survive in soils or water with high salt concentrations. They have significant economic value as they can be used as food, oil, medicine, and raw materials in food processing [194]. As most soil/water saline zones are concentrated by the seas/oceans, and due to the vast availability of coastal lands (oceans represent 70% of the Earth's surface), experts predict that marine agriculture, which involves cultivating crops along the coastline, will become an important sustainable solution for the reactivation of these areas [195], especially after the discovery and development of several salt-tolerant crops.…”

Effect of Na, K and Ca Salts on Growth, Physiological Performance, Ion Accumulation and Mineral Nutrition of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

“…In this sense, salt-tolerant wild plant species are interesting models for studies aimed at uncovering plant salt adaptation mechanisms [ 1 , 2 ]. On the other hand, there is interest in studying the properties of salt-tolerant plants in relation to their possible practical uses [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”

Valorization of Salicornia patula Duval-Jouve Young Shoots in Healthy and Sustainable Diets

“…Severe salinization of agricultural land due to the improper use of irrigation and fertilizers is reducing the area of arable land in the world [9]. Moreover, currently onesixth of the world population inhabits arid or semiarid regions [10]; in these areas, soil salinization is a key issue with substantial impact on plant productivity, making fresh fruit and vegetable cultivation difficult and representing a serious threat to food security [11].…”