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The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the ability of the indifferent halophyte Sulla carnosa Desf. to desalinize a moderately-salt-affected soil. Seeds were sown on a fertile soil added or not with 1.5 g NaCl. kg−1. Analogous treatments without plantation (control and salinized) were also used. Plant culture was performed under greenhouse conditions in non-perforated pots containing 10 kg soil each and irrigated with non-saline tap water. After 80 days of treatment, shoots were harvested. Soil samples were also collected after division of soil column in each pot into two horizons. Our results showed that salt addition increased electrical conductivity of saturation paste extract (ECe) from 3.3 to 8.4 dS. m−1 and soluble sodium concentration from 0.32 to 1.15 g. kg−1 soil in the upper horizon. In the lower horizon however, Na+ concentration was quasi-constant and then ECe was less increased. Plant culture inversed this pattern of sodium accumulation and salinity. Its productivity and phytodesalination capacity in 80 days were 5.0 t DW. ha−1 and 0.3 t Na+. ha−1 (24% of the added quantity), respectively. Interestingly, sodium dilution within biomass (41.5–45.6 mg. g−1 DW) and the non-altered nutrition make this plant suitable for forage as second use after phytodesalination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, we studied the effectiveness of the predominant halophytes of Soliman sabkha (Tecticornia indica and Suaeda fruticosa) to promote soil biological activities and ecosystem productivity. Soil Arylsulphatese ARY, β-glucosidase β-GLU, phosphatase PHO, invertase INV, urease URE, and dehydogenase DES activities in Extra- and Intra-tuft halophytes and plant productivity were assessed. Results revealed a high increase of microbial community and ARY, β-GLU, PHO, INV, URE and DES activities (+298%, +400%, +800%, +350%, +320%, +25% and +759%, respectively) in Intra-tuft rhizosphere as compared to Extra-tuft one, which is likely due to the significant decrease of salinity in the rhizosphere of Tecticornia indica and Suaeda fruticosa. Both perennial plants exhibited high productivities (7.4 t dry weight ha−1 and 2.2 t dry weight ha−1, respectively) and Na+-hyperaccumulating capacities (0.75 t Na+ ha−1 and 0.22 t Na+ ha−1, respectively), reducing salt constraint and favouring soil fertility. This constitutes a promising alternative to enhance productivity in such a salt-affected biotope by offering suitable microhabitat for annual glycophytes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]