Halophytes in Saline Agriculture: Biomass and Salt Tolerance Responses

Halophytes Tripolium pannonicum, Salicornia spp., and Crithmum maritimum show distinct responses to increasing salinity in culture media. Salicornia spp., an obligate halophyte, produces highest biomass (121 t/ha at 20 g/L NaCl), while Tripolium pannonicum and Crithmum maritimum, facultative halophytes, show declining biomass with salinity. Crithmum maritimum accumulates sodium and boosts antioxidant enzymes under salt stress. All three species tolerate saline soils or seawater irrigation and contribute to soil desalination. Part of the AQUACOMBINE project, this research applies a circular model integrating aquaculture, farming, and bioprocessing to convert biomass into food, feed, bio-compounds, and bioenergy. Led by Prof. Dr. Jutta Papenbrock at Leibniz University, Germany.