About this Research Topic

Background

Salt stress, among other abiotic stresses, is one of the most pressing problems in agriculture. The global area of saline and sodium lands has been reported to be around 10% of the total arable soils, with 25% and 30% of irrigated lands that are salt-affected and essentially commercially unproductive. Halophytes are capable of growing in saline environments, even with concentrations higher than 200 mM NaCl. These species are of interest to the food industry mainly for two reasons: i) their productivity in harsh environments (high-salinity and low-water intake) is much higher than the traditional edible species, and ii) their nutritional value (phenolic, protein, and lipid contents and minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium and other bioactive compounds) need to be studied further. Furthermore, most halophytes are considered neglected or underutilized species (NUS), and their inclusion in cropping systems may improve food production sustainability, as they may improve biodiversity and climate adaptability, while also decreasing environmental footprints.

The aim of the present topic is to individuate edible halophytes species for their cultivation and enhancement. Our purpose is to move such species from “neglected and underutilized” status to a cultivated one while broadening the spectrum of species used for human nutrition, particularly in arid, semi-arid, and marginal areas, and in the context of climate change. Hence, this Research Topic calls for articles focusing on cultivation methods (either soil or soil-less), chemical characterization of species for bioactive compounds, valorization as well as on the mechanisms that such species use to cope with salinity tolerance and/or resistance.

Submissions on the following topics, but not limited to, are welcome:

• Cultivation systems
• Domestication of NUS
• Plant chemical characterization (antioxidants, minerals, etc.)
• Resistance mechanism to salinity
• Use of the NUS in urban agriculture
• Post-harvest and valorization

All types of manuscripts, such as original research and reviews are welcome.

Please be aware that crop physiology is the core of the “Crop and Product Physiology” section. As a consequence, the topics listed above may be considered only if they contribute to the physiological understanding of these responses.

Keywords: halophytes, sustainable agriculture, nutrition, salt stress, cultivation, neglected or underutilized species

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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