Description of practice
Halophytes are salt-tolerant plants. They can be used for human consumption, forage and animal feed or as oilseed and energy crops. They can also be used for desalination and phytoremediation purposes.
| Examples of how to use halophytes | Further information (see Note below) |
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Halophytic grasses for rehabilitation of severely saline soilHalophytic grasses (such as Dixie grass) are planted as a cover crop for the ecological restoration of severely salt-affected soil. The grasses maintain a soil cover, enhance biodiversity and can be used as cattle feed. |
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Salt-tolerant vegetables in salt-affected soilSalt-tolerant vegetables (e.g. beets, radish, kale, spinach, tomato) are grown in saline soils on a rotational basis. Double-row beds minimize salt accumulation around the seeds with furrow irrigation. |
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Sea wattle (Acacia ampliceps) to remediate severely salt-affected landThe leguminous shrub Salt wattle (Acacia ampliceps) is planted on dikes in severely salt-affected land. Over time the soil becomes less saline, the shrubs improve the microclimate, understorey plant species improve and the branches can be used for forage and fuel. |
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Apocynum to protect and profit from saline soilsDrought- and salt-tolerant dogbane (Apocynum pictum and A. venetum) species are planted to protect barren saline soils from wind erosion. They are deep-rooted plants that tap groundwater and (importantly) are also cash crops. |
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Indigofera (Indigofera tinctoria) to restore marginal landsCultivation of Indigofera (Indigofera tinctoria) can restore degraded saline lands with low agricultural potential. The plant produces natural indigo dye that is of high commercial value. |
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Poplar trees for bio-drainagePoplar trees, known for their tolerance to waterlogging and salinity, are planted to provide ‘bio-drainage' and wood. Excess water is rapidly taken up and transpired, improving conditions for annual crops. |
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Note: Most of the Further information links are to a full description of the example in the WOCAT database. However sometimes the link may be to similar practices or a research paper. Occasionally the link is to a commercial product in which case it should be understood that this does not imply any endorsement of the product by iSQAPER.