Potential Use of Halophytes to Remediate Saline Soils

Table 1

Walter’s classification of halophytes [36].

Types of halophytes	Characteristics and examples
Salt excluding	In these plants, the root system possesses an ultrafiltration mechanism and this characteristic leads to establishment of such species as the dominant component of the mangrove vegetation. Example: Rhizophora mucronata, Ceriops candolleana, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, and Kandelia candel.
Salt excreting	These plants regulate internal salt levels through foliar glands. Example: Avicennia officinalis, Avicennia alba, Avicennia marina, Aegiceros corniculatum, and Acanthus ilicifolius.
Salt accumulating	They accumulate high concentrations of salt in their cells and tissues and overcome salt toxicity by developing succulence. Example: Sonneratia apetala, Sonneratia acida, Sonneratia alba, Limnitzera racemosa, Excoecaria agallocha, Salvadora persica, Sesuvium portulacastrum, Suaeda nudiflora, and Pentatropis sianshoides.