Impact of salinity stress in crop plants and mitigation strategies

Abstract

Salinity is a universal threat for crop plants, negatively affecting in many ways specifically reducing their yield. According to an estimate of FAO, over 6% of the world's land is affected by salinity and sodicity. The effects of salinity on crops include growth inhibition followed by arrest of physiological and biochemical processes and, ultimately, death. In general, there are two main approaches for relieving the adverse effects of salinity: (1) development of salt-tolerant transgenic cultivars and (2) improved agricultural practices. This chapter reviews the impacts of salinity on development, physiology, and metabolism of crop plants followed by a short description of various mitigation strategies that could help in overcoming negative salinity impacts.