The role of halophytic plants in the context of climate change: molecular, biochemical, and physiological strategies behind their adaptation to saline soils and their potential use as crops

Salinization is an important environmental problem that strongly limits agricultural production, as most crop species are glycophytes and cannot tolerate high salt levels. Consequently, crop yield and food security represent a global challenge. Salinization may result from natural processes or human activities, and climate change further intensifies its extent and severity. One possible strategy to address this issue is the use of halophytic plants, which can grow and survive in salt-affected substrates due to specific physiological, biochemical, and genetic adaptations. Some halophytes can be exploited for phytodesalination. This research project investigated the potential use of halophytes for phytodesalination, focusing on Salicornia (S. europaea and S. lagascae) and Atriplex hortensis. Root exudate composition was also analyzed to better understand plant-environment interactions. An experiment evaluated the capacity of A. hortensis to bioaccumulate and translocate salt, confirming its suitability for phytodesalination. Another experiment examined the root exudates of Salicornia species grown in vitro under different salinity levels to assess the influence of salt concentration. Finally, a sequential hydroponic system with Salicornia, A. hortensis, and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) was tested. The results support the use of halophytes in sequential cropping systems to reduce salinity and sustain crop growth.