Abstract

Salinization threatens global agricultural productivity, affecting about 20% of cultivated land. It results from natural processes like weathering and seawater intrusion, as well as human activities such as over-irrigation with poor-quality water. This reduces soil fertility and crop yields. Traditional reclamation methods, like chemical amendments, are costly. Phytodesalinization, an eco-friendly alternative, uses halophytes to extract excess salts through salt exclusion, excretion, and accumulation. Though slow and limited to surface soil, genetically engineered halophytes could enhance its efficiency, making it a sustainable solution for reclaiming salt-affected lands.