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.
Author(s): Münir Öztürk, Volkan Altay, Moona Nazish, Mushtaq Ahmad, Muhammad Zafar
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 212
City: Cham
Preface
Acknowledgment
Contents
About the Authors
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Saline: Alkaline Areas of Asia and Halophytes
1.3 Morpho-Anatomical Characteristics
1.4 Floristic, Syntaxonomical, and Ecological Features
1.4.1 Floristic Features
1.4.2 Syntaxonomical Features
1.4.3 Ecological Features
1.4.3.1 Ecological Groupings of Halophytes
1.5 Panoramic Views of Saline Habitats
References
Chapter 2: Some Representative Medicinal Halophytes in Asia
2.1 Aerva javanica (Burm.f.) Juss. ex Schult
2.2 Alhagi maurorum Medik
2.3 Artemisia scoparia Waldst. & Kit
2.4 Atriplex halimus L.
2.5 Bassia indica (Wight) A.J.Scott
2.6 Cakile maritima Scop.
2.7 Capparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew.
2.8 Cenchrus ciliaris L.
2.9 Chenopodium album L.
2.10 Chenopodium murale L.
2.11 Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.
2.12 Cleome viscosa L.
2.13 Cressa cretica L.
2.14 Cyperus rotundus L.
2.15 Dactyloctenium scindicum Boiss.
2.16 Halocnemum strobilaceum (Pall.) M.Bieb.
2.17 Juncus acutus L.
2.18 Limonium sinuatum (L.) Mill.
2.19 Noaea mucronata (Forssk.) Asch. & Schweinf.
2.20 Pentanema britannica (L.) D.Gut.Larr., Santos-Vicente, Anderb., E.Rico & M.M.Mart.Ort.
2.21 Pentatropis nivalis (J.F.Gmel.) D.V.Field & J.R.I.Wood
2.22 Phoenix sylvestris (L.) Roxb.
2.23 Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.
2.24 Plantago coronopus L.
2.25 Plantago lanceolata L.
2.26 Portulaca oleracea L.
2.27 Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.
2.28 Saccharum spontaneum L.
2.29 Salsola imbricata Forssk.
2.30 Salvadora oleoides Decne
2.31 Solanum surattense Burm. f.
2.32 Suaeda fruticosa Forssk. ex J.F.Gmel.
2.33 Tamarix aphylla (L.) H.Karst.
2.34 Tamarix dioica Roxb. ex Roth
2.35 Tribulus terrestris L.
2.36 Typha angustifolia L.
2.37 Typha latifolia L.
2.38 Vachellia nilotica (L.) P.J.H.Hurter & Mabb.
2.39 Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal
2.40 Ziziphus nummularia (Burm.f.) Wight & Arn.
References
Chapter 3: Phytochemistry and Biological Activity in the Halophytes
3.1 An Overview of the Phytochemical Diversity
3.1.1 Important Sources of Primary and Secondary Metabolites
3.2 Biological Activity
3.2.1 Antioxidant Activity
3.2.2 Antimicrobial Activity
3.2.3 Anticancer Activity
3.2.4 Other Bioactivities
References
Chapter 4: Ethnic Aspects of Halophytes and Importance in the Economy
4.1 Ethnic Aspects
4.2 Economic Significance
4.2.1 Halophytes as a Source of Medicinal Plants
4.2.2 Halophytes as a Source of Bioactive Compounds
4.2.3 Halophytes and Nutritional Lipids
4.2.4 Halophytes as a Source of Food and Nutrition
4.2.5 Halophytes as a Source of Animal Feed and Forage
4.2.6 Cash Crop Halophytes as Potential Genetic Resources
4.2.7 Halophytes as a Source of Bioenergy
4.2.8 Halophytes as Landscaping and Ornamental Plants
4.2.9 Halophytes and Climate Change Mitigation Potential
4.2.10 Halophytes as Carbon Sequestration Potential
4.2.11 Halophytes as Potential of Phytoremediation
4.2.12 Halophytes: Potential Economic Resources as Cultural Values
4.2.13 Other Potential Economic Uses of Halophytes
References
Chapter 5: Concluding Remarks and Future Prospects
5.1 Conclusion
5.2 Future Prospects in the Use of Halophytes
References
