Australian researchers are studying ways to 'create' or breed plants that would not only grow, but thrive using seawater.

   Researchers studying salt-resistant plants

Work is being done at the University of Newcastle  in Australia about certain plants that are salt resistant, and  could conceivably grow in  arid areas, maybe even use seawater.

According to Phys.org:

"With salt estimated to affect up to 30% of arable land worldwide—jeopardizing the survival of crops—the salinity crisis is a costly burden on agricultural productivity.

Led by the University of Newcastle's Dr. Vanessa Melino, the research team has studied plants of the genus Salicornia to better understand its salt-resistant properties."
  The plant, which is known for having certain medicinal properties, is  being studied to  determine how it can be used to help create other breeds  of plants that could  actually thrive using seawater. According  to Phys.org:
 "Dr. Melino and her team are turning to modern breeding tools to speed up the domestication process. "With modern genomic and genetic tools, we can select and introduce traits that are desirable for cropping."
  Researchers hope to give growers in arid areas options to grow various types of food plants in more hostile environments.

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