Sesuvium portulacastrum, a plant for drought, salt stress, sand fixation, food and phytoremediation. A review

Lokhande, V. H., Gor, B. K. , Desai, N. S., Nikam, T. D. and Suprasanna, P. (2013) Sesuvium portulacastrum, a plant for drought, salt stress, sand fixation, food and phytoremediation. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 33(2), pp. 329-348. (doi: 10.1007/s13593-012-0113-x)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

Sesuvium portulacastrum L. is a pioneer plant species, used for sand-dune fixation, desalination and phytoremediation along coastal regions. The plant tolerates abiotic constraints such as salinity, drought and toxic metals. S. portulacastrum is also used as a vegetable, fodder for domestic animals and as an ornamental plant. S. portulacastrum grows luxuriantly at 100–400 mM NaCl concentrations. It further grows at severe salinity of 1000 mM NaCl without any toxic symptoms on the leaves. The plant also produces 20-hydroxyecdysone, an insect molting hormone for use in sericulture industry. This review analyses research undertaken during last two to three decades in physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology and biotechnology, to unravel the plasticity of the plant tolerance mechanism. Physiological and biochemical studies evidence the tolerance potential of the plant to abiotic stresses and reveal molecular mechanisms of stress tolerance. Biotechnological studies show the efficacy of the plant to produce pharmaceuticals. Large-scale multiplication of S. portulacastrum in the arid and semiarid regions should reduce the load of saline salts and heavy metals.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Gor, Dr Bhoomi
Authors: Lokhande, V. H., Gor, B. K., Desai, N. S., Nikam, T. D., and Suprasanna, P.
College/School:University Services > Library and Collection Services > Library
Journal Name:Agronomy for Sustainable Development
Publisher:Springer
ISSN:1774-0746
ISSN (Online):1773-0155

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record