Dominic Standing

Halophyte bio-saline agriculture augments conventional farm methods in salinized soils and salty water. The current study tests the yield and nutritional value of new Sarcocornia fruticosa ecotypes (Shik, Meg, Naa, and Ruh) compared to the current ecotype (VM). Additionally, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum (AM), phenotypically similar to Sarcocornia, was compared to Sarcocornia ecotypes, and the role of the harvesting regime and irrigation water salinity on yield and its nutritional value was studied. 30-day harvesting over a 210-day growth increased plant yield compared to 21-day harvesting at both salinity levels (50 and 150 mM NaCl). It also tended to improve electrical conductivity (EC) and total soluble sugars (TSS), lower the toxic stress marker malondialdehyde levels, and enhance radical inhibition activity in most ecotypes. Compared to VM, the other Sarcocornia ecotypes, Ruh and Naa, exhibited much higher biomass with similar radical inhibition activity but lower total protein content. Higher salinity improved fresh biomass, shoot diameter, relative water content, chlorophyll level, TSS, EC, and tended to increase anthocyanin and carotenoid levels. In contrast, the lower salinity tended to increase total flavonoid, polyphenol, and radical inhibition activity. At the 30-day harvest regime, AM exhibited the highest and 2nd highest yields at the high and low salinity, respectively, and the highest shoot diameter, total flavonoids, radical inhibition activity, and among the lowest malondialdehyde levels. The current study highlights the importance of optimizing harvest frequency and the advantages of employing AM and the Sarcocornia ecotypes Ruh, Naa, and Meg at a 30-day harvesting regime under higher saline conditions.