Halophytes in the Bioeconomy: New Opportunity and Challenge for Agriculture
摘要
Climate change has a dramatic impact on soil salinisation. According to the FAO, Land and Plant Nutrition Management Service, over 6% (over 400 million hectares of topsoil at a depth of 0–30 cm and 833 million hectares of subsoil at a depth of 30–100 cm) of the world’s land area are affected by salinisation or sodicity, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Halophytes are evolutionarily adapted to saline conditions on an ecophysiological, biochemical, and molecular level. Diverse adaptations of halophytes to extreme environmental conditions make them useful in saline agriculture not only as an alternative to conventional crops that can withstand future climatic challenges, but also as a source of feedstock for bioenergy production. Halophytes can also be used in a variety of bio-based and non-bio-based industries, and serve as the basis for innovative concepts, technologies, services, products, or market segments. In addition, halophytes can facilitate soil remediation through various forms of bioremediation (phytoextraction, phytostabilisation, rhizodegradation, and phytovolatilisation). This group of plants can help to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and thus mitigate global climate change. The use of the properties and potential offered by halophytes is consistent with the principles and guidelines of international governmental and non-governmental organisations, the concepts of saline agriculture, and the goals of the circular economy and an integrated Bioeconomy.