Irrigation of Halophytic crops

Various brine utilization methods in irrigation prove its value as a resource. Rejected brine offers
advantages in hydroponic systems by providing a reliable source of fresh water and minerals
directly to plant roots (Jiménez-Arias et al., 2020) [1]. Unlike soil cultivation, hydroponic
systems exhibit higher salinity tolerance. Utilizing rejected brine in hydroponics presents
benefits, including proximity to desalination facilities, mitigating land scarcity issues, preventing
soil degradation from brine ionic content, and requiring fewer nutrients, enhancing resource
efficiency (Anders et al., 2020) [2].

Hydroponic cultivation, particularly with halophytic plants like Salicornia, offers multiple
advantages. Salicornia, thriving in saline soils, has diverse applications in the food industry and
tolerates high salt concentrations. The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), in
collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, has initiated a project
cultivating Salicornia using rejected brine on four farms with salinity ranging from 15,000 to
20,000 ppm [3,4].

Natural brine can be utilized for the production of nutrient-rich vegetables, as there are no
significant changes in the fresh weight and the selected metabolites of the plants cultivated with
natural brine (Park et al., 2023) [5]. Therefore, the use of seawater or artificial seawater for the
cultivation of Salicornia becomes a possible alternative, making it a promising approach for urban
indoor farming without being dependent on limited freshwater resources.

• The Food Industry

Salicornia has been traditionally used for centuries as forage and fodder. Its prevalence in inland
salt marshes and European coastal areas has led to its increasing availability in European markets
as both fresh produce and dried herb. Salicornia is valued for its nutritional richness, attributed to
its abundance in secondary metabolites like chlorophylls, carotenoids, saponins, flavonoids,
flavanones, and lignans. These compounds are associated with various health benefits. Salicornia
presents promising potential for promoting human health and sustainable agriculture in saline
environments (Fitzner et al., 2021) [6]. Aligned with the UAE's National Food Security Strategy
2051, which emphasizes sustainable food production, the cultivation of halophytes like
Salicornia bigelovii contributes to enhancing food security in the region. [7,8].

Salicornia's versatility extends beyond its use in the food industry. Apart from its culinary
applications, Salicornia serves as a promising biofuel production plant due to its high oil content.
Its adaptability to saline environments positions it as a multifaceted solution, contributing not
only to environmental sustainability but also unlocking economic opportunities through diverse
applications in both the food and biofuel sectors.
 • The Energy Industry - Bio-Fuel Market

The global biofuel industry has witnessed substantial growth and transformation in recent years,
driven by energy security and sustainability objectives. Key contributors to this expansion
include countries like India, Brazil, and Indonesia, propelling biofuel demand through energy
security initiatives. Despite challenges such as feedstock constraints and price volatility, the
integration of advanced biofuel imports has reduced biodiesel costs, emphasizing the industry's
commitment to sustainability. Biofuel market expansion is imperative not only for addressing
energy security but also for fostering economic growth, supporting national food security, and
promoting environmental sustainability.

The UAE has yet to develop its biofuel industry but is showcasing significant interest and
potential aligned with the nation's commitment to sustainability. This shift is crucial for
diversifying the energy portfolio, reducing dependence on traditional fuels, and aligning with
global efforts to combat climate change. Establishing strategic partnerships among government
entities, private sectors, and research institutions is vital for formulating a comprehensive biofuel
framework, solidifying the UAE's position as a global leader in environmental preservation and
renewable energy advancement.

Innovative approaches, such as using rejected brine from desalination to cultivate salt-tolerant
Salicornia for biofuel production, address water scarcity and environmental sustainability
simultaneously. This circular economy approach transforms waste into a valuable asset, offering
an opportunity to produce biofuels with high oil content, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and
supporting global climate change mitigation. Salicornia cultivation aligns with sustainable
agriculture, minimizing conflicts between food production and biofuel cultivation, promoting
economic progress in arid regions, rehabilitating degraded lands, and preserving biodiversity.
The emerging biofuel industry in the UAE, despite its early stage, reflects the nation's
commitment to sustainable practices and positions it as a global leader in environmental
conservation and renewable energy advancement. Collaborative efforts are essential for
establishing a comprehensive biofuel framework in line with the UAE's long-term sustainability
goals.

 Salicornia bigelovii Information

Plantati Means
Salinity Price
Halophy on of
Origin Toleran Seeds/k Economic Use
te Density Cultivati
ce g
/ha on
Salicorn Non- 55 dS/m ~ 20,000 Annual $45 1- Oilseed
ia native plants 2- Food and
bigelovi drink
 i 3-
Bioenergy/Biofu
el
4- Fodder

References

[1] D. Jiménez-Arias, S. Morales-Sierra, F. J. García-Machado, A. L. García-García, J. C. Luis,

F. Valdés, L. M. Sandalio, M. Hernández-Suárez, and A. A. Borges, “Rejected brine recycling in
hydroponic and Thermo-solar evaporation systems for leisure and tourist facilities. changing
waste into raw material,” Desalination, vol. 496, p. 114443, 2020.

[2] C. Rodrigues Anders, C. dos Santos Fernandes, N. da Silva Dias, J. W. da Silva Gomes, M.
R. de Souza Melo, B. G. de Souza, A. C. Medeiros Souza, and F. S. de Sousa Júnior,
“Environmental impacts of reject brine disposal from desalination plants,” Desalination and
Water Treatment, vol. 181, pp. 17–26, 2020.

[3] “Farmers in Abu Dhabi start using reject brine to grow fish, halophyte,” International Center
for Biosaline Agriculture. [Online]. Available: https://www.biosaline.org/news/2020-01-15-
6992.

[4] Person, “ADAFSA sponsors project to cultivate Salicornia using reject brine,” ZAWYA, 10-
Nov-2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/adafsa-sponsors-
project-to-cultivate-salicornia-using-reject-brine-hgoljzh0.

[5] Park, K., Mudgal, A., Mudgal, V., Sagi, M., Standing, D., & Davies, P. A. (2023).
Desalination, water re-use, and halophyte cultivation in salinized regions: A highly
productive groundwater treatment system. Environmental Science &
Technology, 57(32), 11863–11875. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c02881

[6] Fitzner, M., Fricke, A., Schreiner, M., & Baldermann, S. (2021). Utilization of regional
natural brines for the indoor cultivation of Salicornia europaea. Sustainability, 13(21),
12105.

[7] UAE 2019. National Food Security Strategy 2051.https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/strategies-

initiatives-and-awards/strategies-plans-and-visions/environment-and-energy/national-food-
security-strategy-2051.

[8] Al-Tamimi, M., Green, S., Dahr, W. A., Al-Muaini, A., Lyra, D., Ammar, K., Dawoud, M.,
Kenyon, P., Kemp, P., Kennedy, L., McLachlan, A., & Clothier, B. (2023). Drainage, salt-
leaching impacts, and the growth of Salicornia bigelovii irrigated with different saline
waters. Agricultural Water Management, 289, 108512.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2023.108512