Mechanisms and Approaches for Salt Tolerance in Turmeric: A Breeding Perspective

Abstract

India is home to several medicinal herbs including turmeric. Turmeric is one of the major produces of India, primarily due to its unique and valuable medicinal and therapeutic properties. However, the growth and yield of turmeric are greatly affected by salt stress in certain parts of the country, especially those near water bodies where significant yield losses have been reported. To mitigate these losses caused by salt stress, certain plant breeding methods, transgenic approaches, and candidate genes along with ion compartmentation have been implemented so that the growth, yields, development of the crops, rhizome size, essential oil content, total polyphenols, and curcumin content are maintained by protecting the crop from wilting and death. Several strategies, along with a proper understanding of the system biology of turmeric, are being studied carefully to identify the stress-tolerant pathways to enhance the adaptability of plants to salt stress or escape the associated effects in severe cases. These strategies will make the turmeric plants more valuable as well as beneficial to humans.