Identifying the border of saline lands is the first step to deal with the problem of salinity in these regions. This research was aimed to investigate the relationship between edaphic, climatic and vegetative factors in each habitat and its extension to other similar areas. In the current research, the vegetation types were detected by Landsat satellite images. For this purpose, a soil profile was dug in each vegetation type and where water was found, samples were analyzed. In addition, a number of soil profiles were dug in areas without vegetation. Results showed that half of the studied vegetation types grew on saline soils and the other half grew on non-saline soils. The soil of the study area was classified as saline and alkaline soils. Seidlitzia sp. and Aeluropus sp. were identified as the most and least resistant halophytes, respectively.Geological formations containing evaporite deposits (Neogen), Qom formation deposits, little precipitation, Qom salt dome, saline water flowing in the region and geomorphological position were the factors increasing the salinity of the study area.

Given the extent of saline lands in Iran, cultivation and utilization of halophytes and salt tolerant species under the condition that both water and soil are saline could be a viable option in production and extraction of vegetable oils from halophytes and salt tolerant species. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of three halophytes namely: Suada fruticosa, Seidlitzia rosmarinus and Aeluropus littoralis as a source of edible oil as well as quantitative and qualitative oil analysis. For this purpose, seeds of three halophytes werecollected from saline soils of Aran & Bidgol, Iran. The extraction of fatty acids was performed bysolvent in Soxhlet method, and GC was used to analyze the fatty acids. The oil yield obtained from Suada fruticosa, Seidlitzia rosmarinus and Aeluropus littoralis was calculated to be 6. 61, 5. 73 and 2%, respectively. According to the results of seed oil analysis by gas chromatography, The seeds of halophytes species contains 16 fatty acids as: saturated fatty acids Butyric acid, Caproic acid, Caprylic acid, Capric, Lauric acid, Myristic, Palmitic acid, Stearic acid, Arachidic acid and unsaturated fatty acid Myristic acid Palmitoleic acid, Oleic acid, Elaidic acid, Linolelaidic acid, Linoleic acid, and y-Linolenic acid. Our results clearly indicate that the seeds of halophytes especially S. fruticosa could be used as a source of edible oil for human consumption.

Salinity stress is a major limiting factor for biomass production, especially in arid and semi-arid regions of Iran. Furthermore, the existence of vast areas of saline lands, and various halophytic species tend to utilize saline soil and water resources. To evaluate some physiological traits of fodder halophytes, an experiment was conducted at Salinity Research Station of Chah-Afzal, Yazd in 2009-2010. Nine forage halophytic species were propagated in the greenhouse, and then transferred to the field. The statistical design was complete randomized block with three replicates. During the growth season, plants were irrigated with saline water (8.39 dSm-1). At the end of the experiment, some physiological characteristics including water content, ash percent, canopy broadness and some mineral elements (Na+, K+, Cl-) were measured. Results showed significant physiological differences among halophytes, which could be related to different fodder potential of the halophytes. Among the halophytes, K. indica, S. aculeata and A. halimus could be considered as the most promising species in forage production based on the higher forage yield, low ash content and low amounts of Na and Cl ions. Considering the fact that high salt content in halophytes caused some limitations for forage palatability, S. aculeata could be selected as a suitable fodder species based on low ash content and low Na+/K+ ratio.

In this research the effect of salt type and salinity stress on primary establishment and growth of resistant plant such as Atriplex canescens, Halimion vrrucifera and camphorosma monspeliacum were investigated in seedling condition. The split- split plot experimental design with four replication were applied for this investigation. Salt type stress was selected based on tow salt types, including Na2So4and NaCl. Salinity stress was selected in the form of six salinity treatments, including 5 (authentic), 15, 30.45, 60 and 75 ds/m. After a period of growth, dry arial and underground parts of plant were measured. The results show that salinity and salt type stress will severely decrease dry arial and underground parts of plants. The effect of NaCl salt treatment and 75 ds/m salinity was observed in decreasing dry matter production more than the other treatments. All three species had higher yield on Na2So4 type than NaCl. In fact the negative effects of NaCl salt type are more than the sulphat salt type. The interaction of species types and salt types were significantly different at the %1 level. The best model that was recognized for plant growth response to salt and salinity stress, with regards to r2 and its significance at %5 level is polynomial function.

This research was aimed to investigate the potential of four halophytes from the Urmia Lacke including Salsola dendroides, Salsola nitraria, Salsola iberica and Halocnemum strobilaceum as soli phytodesalination. For this purpose, soil samples were collected from two soil depths of 0-15 and 15-30 cm inside the ecological patches as well as around it. Our results clearly showed that the studied halophytes could reduce the amount of Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ significantly in the first soil depth (p<0.01). However, in the second depth, less affected by the root of species, there were no significant differences in the amounts of these cations in the soil of inside and outside the patches. The absorption of Mg2+, Cl-, Ca2+, Na+ and K+ by underground and aboveground biomass was also investigated. The results of mean comparisons showed that Salsola nitraria and Halocnemum strobilaceum accumulated the highest concentration of magnesium and chlorine in each gram of dry weight biomass. Also, the studied species showed no significant difference in SAR. The amount of these elements were compared in the roots of two species having the highest salt accumulation in aboveground biomass, and the species accumulating lower levels of these elements in roots was introduced. Overall, Halocnemum.strobilaceum showed the highest potential in absorbing salt through roots (soli phytodesalination) as compared to the rest of the species and its cultivation could be recommended for soil improvement and forage production in saline lands.

According existence of huge reserves of water and saline soil in Iran, use of halophyte plants is inevitable as new source of sustainable production of forage, protein and oil for meet nutritional needs of the growing population of the country. In this study, Iranian salinity researches on halophytes from 1977 right now were investigated and analyzed, the challenges were discussed and finally some approaches were provided for future. Based on definition in this study, “ halophytes are the plants adapted to saline conditions via one of the mechanisms of prevent salt entry to plant or reduced salt concentration in cytoplasm” . Therefore, the halophytes can be divided in two major classes: eu-halophytes and facultative halophytes. Literature review of the country revealed that considerable researches in halophytes has begun from the last half century and were remarkably increased from 2001 right now. The plants such as kochia (Kochia scoparia), purslane (Portulaca oleracea) and lambsquarter (Chenopodium album) have been well evaluated in terms of different growing aspects and it seems that some other plants such as quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) and salicornia (Salicornia spp. ) have greater potential for attracting the researches. About 30%, 11%, 11%, 11%, 9%, 7% and 28% of these researches were conducted on growth aspects, physiological and biochemical traits, forage quality, implementation of strategies to improve production, plant nutrient and fertilization, oil status and others, respectively. The experiments in controlled conditions were more than twice as field experiments. In general, regard to more investigation on forage and oil quality of halophytes, the aspects of medical, sanitary and ornamental of halophytes should be evaluated in sustainable agriculture systems.

The present study was aimed to determine the potential of bioethanol production in three halophytes: Suaeda vermiculata, Halocnemum strobilaceum and Seidlitzia rosmarinus. The plant sampling was performed in three vegetative, flowering and seeding stages to measure the content of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Their biomass production was calculated at the end of annual growth. The results were analyzed in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that the content of lignin in the Ha. strobilaceum was more than cellulose and hemicellulose at seedling stage; therefore, it does not have the potential to produce ethanol. However, in the vegetative and flowering stages, the amount of hemicellulose increased, indicating a little potential for ethanol production. In Se. rosmarinus, due to an increase in cellulose and hemicellulose percentage compared to lignin, it has high potential for bioethanol production; however, its biomass production is less than the other two. In Su. vermiculata, the percentage of cellulose and hemicellulose is higher than lignin percentage, so it has the greatest potential for bioethanol production. The best harvesting time for bio-ethanol extraction is before flowering stage. Its biomass production is higher than the two other species (1174 kg / h); thus, following some basic principles of agriculture, it could be established on a large scale for massive production. Therefore, Su. vermiculata is a suitable species for bioethanol extraction in saline and low-yielding lands. Due to its presence on the margins of farms and rangelands of arid and saline areas such as southern Garmsar and south of Varamin, it is recommended to be introduced to farmers and experts in the field of agriculture and natural resources.