Ion Homeostasis and Its Role in Salt Remediation by Halophytes

Salinity is an abiotic stress which reduces the growth in plants mainly due to the osmotic and ionic effects at cellular level, therefore under high level of saline conditions, the maintenance of an adequate ion homeostasis in plants is essential. For instance, one common feature triggered by halophytes is to maintain a low Na+ concentration in the cytosol and a higher K+/Na+ ratio. Considering this fact, the introduction of halophytic species in reclamation of salt-affected soils involves many advantages because these species are able to uptake toxic ions such as Na+ and Cl−, which is an economic solution mainly for developing countries or areas without any possibilities of growing another commercial species.