Halophytic vegetables are catching on in UAE
REJECT BRINE FROM DESALINATION UNITS ARE USED TO GROW THEM
Scientists at the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) have successfully started growing halophytic (salt-loving) vegetables in the UAE conditions, using rejected brine from desalination plants treated with fish effluents.
It is the first time that halophytic vegetables are being grown in the UAE conditions, both in the open field conditions and a simple net-house structure, without using fresh water.
The idea behind the research is to save fresh water and introduce these vegetables into the local diet, eventually contributing towards sustainable future food security of the country.
As a pilot study, the centre is currently growing six halophytic vegetables at its experimental station in Dubai. The vegetables include Salsola soda (agretti); Crithmum maritimum (rock samphire); Beta maritima (sea beet); Aster tripolium (sea aster); Salicornia bigelovii (samphire); and Portulaca oleracea (common purslane).
The vegetables are currently being tested using the rejected brine from desalination that goes through the aquaculture system making use of the water enriched in nutrients.
Dr Dionysia Angeliki Lyra, a halophyte agronomist at ICBA, who leads the research said: “We are very happy to grow halophytic vegetables in the UAE conditions and the initial results are very promising. In addition to saving fresh water and utilising rejected brine for vegetable production in the country, our focus on halophytic vegetables is based on scientific studies which demonstrate that these vegetables are very rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, vitamins and other vital elements essential for human health.
“Some of them have pharmaceutical and medicinal properties.”