The halophytes are highly specialized plants, which have greater tolerance to salt. They can germinate, grow and reproduce successfully in saline areas which would cause the death of regular plants. Most halophytic species are found in salt marsh systems along seashores or around landlocked inland lakes and flat plains with high evaporation. The halophytes play a very significant role in the saline areas specially in the coast by overcoming the salinity in different ways, with regulating mechanisms in which excess salts are excreted and without regulating mechanism, which may include succulents or cumulative types.
In many countries, halophytes have been successfully grown on saline wasteland to provide animal fodder which have the potential for rehabilitation and even reclamation of these sites. The value of certain salt-tolerant grass species has been recognized by their incorporation in pasture improvement programmes in many salt affected regions throughout the world.
Preface
1. Role of cognate promoter elements
2. Multilevel regulation of glutathione homeostasis
3. Genes associated with orchid flower
4. Biology and physiology of saline plants
5. Role of physiology in improving crop adaptation
6. Adaptive components of salt tolerance
7. Growth and physiological adaptations of grasses to salinity stress
8. Physiological mechanisms of nitrogen absorption
9. Induction of proteins in response to stresses
10. Regulation of gene expression
11. The negative action of toxic divalent cations
12. Plant growth and human life support for space travel
Bibliography
Index