De novo sequencing and assembly analysis of the Salicornia bigelovii transcriptome provide insights into salt tolerance

Current agriculture endeavors are unable to provide the food needs of the rising global population due to loss of agriculture land productivity caused by increasing soil salinity. A promising approach is the use of halophytes for farming in salt-affected soils. Unfortunately, little is known regarding the genome-wide processes governing salt tolerance in halophytes. The halophyte Salicornia bigelovii is used as a source of biofuels, oil seeds, and protein crops. The integration of halophytes into food crop production is the only way we will supplement food and energy production through sustainable utilization and efficient resource management to address soil salinization and the current water crisis.