The last decade of the 20th century witnessed a sharp increase in losses of arable land from salinisation. In Europe this was especially hard for the farmers in the Mediterranean countries where irrigation farming is very common and many fields have reached a soil salinity level which prevents farmers from raising common crops. This is a world wide problem in dry and semi-dry tropical regions. The losses in soil fertility in certain regions, is so severe that rural populations are either, starving, leaving their villages or requesting permanent living support through foreign aid. Several scientists in Europe have developed research projects for the sustainable utilisation of halophytes. Together with their North African, Arabian and South Asian colleagues they developed a research network which produced rapidly promising aspects for cashcrop halophytes. Most of their work was based on the collection of papers from an international meeting in Al Ain/UAE. This volume presents examples of research from that meeting and the presentation of research topics. It was found that two avenues were of immediate need: the development of pilot projects and the organization of an international society for halophyte utilisation. Both aspects are dealt with in this book and together with other recent relevant publications will serve as a guide for future efforts to develop the common utilisation of cashcrop halophytes. This volume should be of value for all scientists and persons interested in R and D projects for the future use of halophytes and saline irrigation systems.
Edited by:
Helmut Lieth,
Marina Mochtchenko
Imprint: Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
Country of Publication: United States
Edition: 2003 ed.
Volume: 38
Dimensions:
Height: 279mm,
Width: 210mm,
Spine: 15mm
Weight: 1.620kg
ISBN: 9781402012020
ISBN 10: 1402012020
Series: Tasks for Vegetation Science
Pages: 254
Publication Date: 31 January 2004
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
,
Primary
,
A / AS level
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Salinity Tolerance Analysis.- Study of potential cash crop halophytes by a quick check system: Determination of the threshold of salinity tolerance and the ecophysiological demands.- Physiological responses and structural modifications in Atriplex halimus L. plants exposed to salinity.- Some physiological and biochemical aspects of salt tolerance in two oleaginous halophytes: Cakile maritima and Crithmum maritimum.- Salinity tolerance of Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima. Part I. Biomass production and osmotic adjustment.- Salinity tolerance of Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima. Part II. Physiological and biochemical regulation.- Effect of seawater irrigation on biomass production and ion composition of seven halophytic species in Morocco.- Some physiological and biochemical aspects of salt tolerance of Sesuvium portulacastrum.- Salt-tolerance strategy of two halophyte species: Spartina alterniflora and Suaeda fruticosa.- Salt-avoidance mechanisms in the halophyte Distichlis spicata as a promising source for improved salt resistance in crop plants.- Chemical Contents.- Chemical composition variation during root decomposition in Tagus estuary salt marshes.- Metal partition in Tagus estuary salt marshes: a case study.- Potential of halophytes as animal fodder in Egypt.- Lipid composition of seeds of local halophytes: Cakile maritima, Zygophyllum album and Crithmum maritimum.- Field Scale Investigations.- The use of saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) as a pioneer forage crop in salty environments.- Primary analysis of four salt tolerant plants growing in Hai-He Plain, China.- Field scale experiments on plant tolerance to saline irrigation water.- The influence of environmental factors and zonal distribution of Phragmites australis and Phacelurus latifolius in salt marsh, Central Japan.- Relevant Accompanying Contributions.- Genetically modified halophytes in agro-ecosystems: ecological and environmental considerations.- Halophytic grasses as vital components of cash crop halophytes: Sporobolus madraspatanus Bor..- An ecological overview of halophytes from Pakistan.- A comprehensive survey of halophytes in Khorasan province of Iran.
Reviews for Cash Crop Halophytes: Recent Studies: 10 Years after Al Ain Meeting
"From the reviews: ""Several scientists in Europe have developed research projects for the sustainable utilisation of halophytes. … Most of their work was based on the collection of papers from an international meeting in A1 Ain/UAE. This volume presents useful examples of research from that meeting and the presentation of new research topics. … will serve as a guide for future efforts to develop the common utilisation of cashcrop halophytes. This volume will be of great value for all scientists and others interested in R and D projects … ."" (Food Trade Review, Vol. 75, 2005)"
