Desalination of greenhouse soils through halophytes
Soil salinization is becoming an increasing problem under the arid conditions in greenhouses. Halophytes are plants adapted to elevated salt levels that can store salt in their biomass and thereby demonstrably reduce soil salinity. However, there are currently no practical strategies for implementing and utilizing this potential in organic greenhouse cultivation.
The project therefore investigates two strategies for using halophytes for desalination. Selected species will be tested for their ability to reduce soil salinity (salts such as NaCl) both in large-scale cultivation and when grown between crop rows.
Based on key data from the literature, a calculation tool will be developed to estimate changes in soil salinity as a function of management practices. The results of the calculation tool will be validated in experiments. On the basis of these findings, it will be possible to assess how salinization develops on a farm and to issue corresponding recommendations for action.