Alternative Biomass for Bioenergy: Salicornia spp.

Climate change is increasing risks to human health and to the health systems that seek to protect the safety and well-being of populations. The world population is increasing and there is a limited amount of fresh water in the world. Cultivating biofuel crops, trees and grasses for biofuels may compete with agriculture, especially, in developing countries as there can be unfavourable ramifications of the “food versus fuel” use of plant products. Salinity affects almost all aspects of plant development including germination, vegetative growth and reproductive development due to drought and high soil salinity, and harsh environmental conditions. Salicornia brachiata usually grow in coastal marshes and have worldwide distribution. Because of their ability to flourish in saltwater, glasswort plants are the most promising crop to be grown so far using seawater irrigation along coastal deserts. They can be eaten by livestock, and their seeds yield oil. Salicornia has very high economic value, including a 30% of oil. Biocombustibles (biodiesel, ethanol and biogas) occupy an important market in several countries. Salicornia sp. will also have ecological impact, as it absorbs carbon dioxide. Gujarat with its 1600-km-long coastline has a vast potential for saltwater farming. Shrimp farming in sea water, growth of marine algae and Salicornia sp. cultivation in coastal areas can provide alternative to biomass production without using agricultural land or fresh water. Besides biomass, Salicornia provides value-added products: its seeds yield oil which can be used as biofuel. Its succulent tips are used widely in Europe and the USA in green salad dressings; the plant itself can be an excellent fodder. This fodder has increased milk yield by 15% in addition to making it protein rich. The dry biomass is used to prepare particleboard for use in furniture. Salicornia cultivation can provide cheap, locally available energy to catalyse the all-round socioeconomic development process. This can also offer an effective low-cost strategy for reclaiming barren wastelands into productive areas. A review shall be presented.