Alternative biomass from saline and semiarid and arid conditions as a source of biofuels: Salicornia

Abstract

The world population is increasing, and there is a limited amount of freshwater in the world. Global efforts are being made for turning saltwater into an alternative to freshwater for agriculture. The Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd. (GSFC), Baroda, plans to promote the cultivation of Salicornia, a special saltwater or wasteland plant that has export potential and yields several value-added products. Gujarat with its 1600-km-long coastline has a vast potential for such farming. Some of the plants in this region are environment friendly. Besides potential as biomass, Salicornia provides value-added products: its seeds yield edible oil that is low in cholesterol and contains antioxidants; its succulent tips are used widely in Europe and the USA in green salad dressings; the plant itself can be an excellent fodder. This fodder has increased milk yield by 15% in addition to making it protein rich. The dry biomass is used to prepare particleboard for use in furniture. Salicornia cultivation can provide cheap, locally available energy to catalyze the all-round socioeconomic development process. This can also offer an effective low-cost strategy for reclaiming barren wastelands into productive areas.