Biology Of Halophytes

Biology of Halophytes is a monograph on the biological aspects of halophytes and their behavior under saline conditions. It explores the physioecological characteristics of halophytes, such as reproduction, growth, metabolism, water relations, mineral nutrition, salt transport, salt secretion, and salt resistance. It also provides ecological information on higher marine plants, particularly submerged angiosperms, mangroves, and high coast plants. Organized into 16 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of sources of salinity and the development and nature of salines and salt-affected soils. It proceeds with a discussion of the classification of halophytes, their mutual relationships, distribution, and sociology. It also summarizes autecological information on some terrestrial halophytes and introduces the reader to the formative effects of salinity, interrelationships between plants and spatial distribution within the community, ion transport and mineral nutrition, and regulation of salt content of shoots, before concluding with a short review on ecotypic differentiation in halophytes. This book will be a valuable resource for advanced students, as well as teachers of plant and environmental sciences.

This book contains current knowledge and the most recent developments in the field of halophyte biology, ecology, and potential uses. Halophytes are characterised as plants that can survive and complete their life cycle in highly saline environments. This book explores the adaptive mechanisms and special features of halophytes that allow them to grow in environments that are unsuitable for conventional crops and considers their role as a source of food, fuel, fodder, fibre, essential oils, and medicines. Halophytes and Climate Change includes coverage of: - Special morphological, anatomical, and physiological features of halophytes - Ion accumulation patterns and homeostasis in halophytes - Potential use of halophytes in the remediation of saline soil - Growth and physiological response and tolerance to toxicity and drought - Mangrove ecology, physiology, and adaptation Written by a team of international authors and presented in full colour, this book is an essential resource for researchers in the fields of plant physiology, ecology, soil science, environmental science, botany, and agriculture.

This book describes important anatomical adaptations in halophytes, based on a large review of relevant literature (since the 17th century) and recent research findings. Scientists involved in the study of plant biology, from a molecular to ecosystemic level, will find information about all major structural strategies of salt tolerant plants. The book starts with an introductory theoretical background, where several aspects related to the definition and classification of halophytes and saline environments are included. Major anatomical adaptations are then grouped around major concepts: succulence, tracheoidioblasts, salt secretion, Kranz anatomy, successive cambia, and bulliform cells. Each of them is treated following a general scheme: introductory considerations, anatomical basis, and ecological implications; a review of relevant literature is then conducted and the text is supported by a large number of figures, especially ink drawings and color micrographs.

Highlights the potential of biosaline agriculture in a changing environment Covers all important topics related to halophyte biology including biochemistry, genetics and genomics Provides information on potential use of halophytes Each topic is explained in detail and examined from various angles More than 100 contributions by international experts

The halophytes are highly specialized plants, which have greater tolerance to salt. They can germinate, grow and reproduce successfully in saline areas which would cause the death of regular plants. Most halophytic species are found in salt marsh systems along seashores or around landlocked inland lakes and flat plains with high evaporation. The halophytes play very significant role in the saline areas specially in the coast by overcoming the salinity in different ways, viz. with regulating mechanisms in which excess salts are excreted and with out regulating mechanism, which may include succulents or cumulative types. Besides that they protect coast from erosion and cyclones, provide feeding ground and nursery for fish, shrimps and birds. Halophytes get increasing attention today because of the steady increase of the salinity in irrigation systems in the arid and semi-arid regions where the increasing population reaches the limits of freshwater availability. In many countries, halophytes have been successfully grown on saline wasteland to provide animal fodder and have the potential for rehabilitation and even reclamation of these sites. The value of certain salt-tolerant grass species has been recognized by their incorporation in pasture improvement programs in many salt affected regions throughout the world. There have been recent advances in selecting species with high biomass and protein levels in combination with their ability to survive a wide range of environmental conditions, including salinity.

Areas with high agricultural potential include arid zones, which make up 43% of the worlds total area. In these areas the scarce precipitation and the high salinity of the soils represent a limitation for the development of conventional agriculture. For this reason, it is essential to guide the efforts of research to generate agricultural technologies that allow us to optimize the productivity of those areas. Halophytes have a wide diversity of plant forms and have been regarded as a rich source of potential new crops.Next, the nutritional profile of four promising species of chenopodiaceae family are collected from saline areas of Iran were evaluted by standard methods. The nutrient content of four halophyte plants indicate that they have high nutritive and dietary values, so these medicinal plants can be used as a major source of minerals and natural nutrients in food and fodder, based on their crude protein, fat, fiber, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals in sufficient amount.The physiological mechanisms underlying the ability of halophytes to grow well under saline soils are explored. Additionally, several theories of growth stimulation mechanisms advocated in the past and presumed mechanisms of growth stimulation are discussed in the context of the latest reports.The authors go on to review the potential of halophytes for various uses in the Mediterranean area and assess how a knowledge of their cellular machinery can help to determine the best species and genotypes for their applied uses.Following this, the ancient and present-day uses of halophytes in Portugal are presented and discussed, focusing on their traditional uses and biological activities. The review concludes by suggesting future requirements and perspectives for further exploitation of these species within the context of sustainability and climate change.In southern parts of Iran for combating dust storm, people have started growing halophyte plants and trees such as Tamarix with drainage water. C. tubulosa which is collected from the central plateau of Iran has shown a high amount of K, Mg, S, Ca and P and antioxidant capacity as well as six important phenylethanoid glycoside substrates. Cistanche could be recommended to improve the economy of the area and employment, which can also encourage the local people to plant more trees and protect them.

"Delineates the unique ability of halophytes to revegetate salt-affected land. Provides easy access to current information concerning the biology, biogeography, ecophysiology, productivity, and utilization of halophytes. Offers a low-cost approach to reclaiming and rehabilitating saline habitats previously regarded as useless."

Salinity is one of the acute problems causing enormous yield loss in many regions of the world. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced in arid and semiarid regions. Halophytes can remove salt from various types of problematic soils due to their unique morphological, physiological and anatomical adaptations to these environments. Halophytes are also used for the treatment of certain diseases but scientific documentation in terms of current phytotherapic applications is deficient in this unique group of plants. Different ethnic groups around the world use medicinal halophytes according to their own beliefs and ancestor’s experiences. However, their knowledge about the use of salt tolerant medicinal plants is usually confined to their own community. There is thus a knowledge gap on halophytes which should be bridged and preserved. This book provides a comprehensive account on the distribution of halophytes, their ethnobotanical and medicinal aspects, economic importance, and chemical constituents along with scientific description. The book therefore serves as a valuable resource for professionals and researchers working in the fields of plant stress biology and ethnobotanical aspects.

The ecology of halophytes has a wide scope of interest, appealing to people of many disciplines. It covers widely different fields such as climatology, soil science, phytogeography, adaptive biology and agriculture. Ecologists study these specialized plants in relation to estuarine ecosystems, biology of dominant genera, germination ecology, water relations, salt secretion, and senescence. The present volume is divided into three parts and attempts to elucidate new aspects of the problems faced by this special group of plants. It tries to give the reader an overall view of saline environments and the ecology of plants found therein. In the first chapter of part one Zahran presents the halophytic vegetation of Egypt, which includes the inland and the littoral (Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea) salt marshes. The plants he describes have been classified as succulents, excretives and cumulatives, according to their adaptability to saline soils and according to their different life-forms. The second chapter throws light on the estuarine ecosystem ofIndia. The estuaries are described by Joshi, and Bhosale as being rich in diversity of mangrove species. Making varied use of estuarine ecosystems is not only possible, but also essential because they are the meeting point between terrestrial and marine life.

Handbook of Bioremediation: Physiological, Molecular and Biotechnological Interventions discusses the mechanisms of responding to inorganic and organic pollutants in the environment using different approaches of phytoremediation and bioremediation. Part One focuses specifically on inorganic pollutants and the use of techniques such as metallothionein-assisted remediation, phytoextraction and genetic manipulation. Part Two covers organic pollutants and consider topics such as plant enzymes, antioxidant defense systems and the remediation mechanisms of different plant species. This comprehensive volume is a must-read for researchers interested in plant science, agriculture, soil science and environmental science. The techniques covered in this book will ensure scientists have the knowledge to practice effective bioremediation techniques themselves. Provides a comprehensive review of the latest advances in bioremediation of organic and inorganic pollutants Discusses a range of different phytoremediation techniques Evaluates the role of genomics and bioinformatics within bioremediation