Soil salinity mitigation by naturally grown halophytes in seawater affected coastal Bangladesh

Phytodesalination of saline soils using selected hyperaccumulating halophytes were evaluated in coastal Bangladesh. Four hyperaccumulating halophytes species-Thankuni (Centella asiatica), Holud nakful (Eclipta alba), Helencha (Enhydra fluctuans) and Lona pata (Sesuvium edmonstonei)-were selected from 35 species grown in different saline regions of Bangladesh. Then, each of the four selected halophytes was grown in 4.36, 4.85, 5.77 and 6.57 deciSiemens/meter (dS m(-1)) saline soil for four months. All plants were separated into root and shoot after harvesting. Electrical conductivity was significantly decreased in phytodesalinated soil compared to the not-cultivated soils. The maximum phytodesalination capacity (251.22 kg Na+ ha(-1)) and the highest sodium adsorption ratio (48%) were observed in S. edmonstonei cultivated soil. Translocation factor and bio-concentration factor values indicated that sodium ion (Na+) were readily transported from soil to root to shoot, and all four halophytes were good Na+ accumulator. Distinct anatomical variations were found in microscopic image of root, stem and leaf cells indicating vacuolar and vascular bundle sequestration responsible for Na+ hyperaccumulation. S. edmonstonei and E. fluctuans have high potentiality for the use of halophytodesalination of saline soils.

Automated summary

In this study, phytodesalination of saline soils using selected hyperaccumulating halophytes was evaluated in coastal Bangladesh. The findings showed that Sesuvium edmonstonei and Enhydra fluctuans have high phytodesalination capacity and are good accumulators of sodium ions (Na+).