Potentialities of Halophytes in the Egyptian Deserts as Economic Plants

Abstract

Forty eight halophytic species are reported in this chapter to evaluate their potentialities as economic plants. These species distributed in the salt marshes and saline land of Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea coasts as well as in the Egyptian Oases. Of 48 halophytes species are reported, 26 species represent (54.2%) have can be providing more than four economic potentialities and services for the ecosystems. Twenty nine halophtic species represent (60.4%) of total halophytes are reported uses as either in forage or fodder production many of them are of great interest to grazers because of their long production period which can be closes the gap of fodder deficiency in Egypt especially in Summer season. Eight halophytic species represent (16.7%) of total halophytes are reported are as very important as medicinal and aromatic plants, it contain all the phytochemical constituents are screened (flavonoids and/or phenolics, carbohydrates and/or glycosides, amino acids, protein, unsaturated sterols and/or triterpenes alkaloids and/or nitrogenous bases, tannins, oil, and saponin). Fourteen species represent about (30%) of the total halophytic species are reported in this study can be propagated by more than three methods. Some of halophytes seeds propagated by sea water or by sever salinity water. These halophytes can be cultivated by using sea water and/or sever salinity water, which prove their high potentiality as economic crops distinguish by less cost in cultivation as well as decrease the use of fresh water in cultivation. These findings support the importance of development these halophytes in the future planning for development in Egypt and other countries in the arid regions.