Salt Tolerance and Potential Uses for Saline Agriculture of Halophytes from the Poaceae

Abstract

Halophytes are mainly dicotyledonous plants, whereas most of the economically important crops are monocotyledonous and belong especially to the Poaceae family. Therefore, investigating these species is of major significance. Indeed, halophytes from the Poaceae have considerable forage value and economic uses, especially in saline and arid areas, and interestingly salt tolerance strategy of these species involves a wide range of adaptive mechanisms. These include high capacity of ion compartmentation, production of compatible osmolytes, high K+ retention, and toxic ion secretion via salt glands, which leads to maintaining ion homeostasis. Understanding the salt tolerance mechanisms of the Poaceae halophytes would help in improving the salt tolerance of cultivated salt-sensitive species. Furthermore, the economic potential of these species is poorly reviewed. This review addresses mainly salt tolerance and the uses of these species for economic and ecological benefit. We also show that using these species to establish productive ecosystems and re-greening natural saline soils could be a useful approach to valorize and reclaim salt-affected areas and overcome water shortage issue.