Phytoremediation: A Sustainable Approach to Combat Soil Salinity

Abstract

Soil salinization is a significantconstraint affecting the productivity of agricultural land worldwide. This led to the abandoning of the production of farmcrops on colossalland. Soil salinity inversely affects seed germination and plant growth and influences the plant’s biological activities like photosynthesis, respiration, plant metabolism, enzymatic activities, hormone regulation, etc. Therefore, efforts are being made to bring the saline soil under cultivation by improving itthrough a proper drainage system to drain out the salts orapplying chemical amendments. However, these options are costly and energy-intensive for employment in large areas on a vast scale. In this direction, biologically cost-effective approaches are also being practiced to improve these degraded lands. Phytoremediation, a plant-based approach to improving degraded soil, may be an appropriate option. This is done by the plantation of salt-tolerant plant species, which can remove and leach down excess salts like sodium (Na⁺) from the soil and enhance calcium (Ca²⁺) salts through the cation exchange process from the root zone. During this process, remarkable properties like soil-aggregates stability, root proliferation, soil hydraulic properties, and nutrient availability to plants are also improved. Such improvement in soil properties facilitates the cultivation of less tolerant plants and improves the environment in general and the climatic conditions by enhancing carbon sequestration.