The International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) have effectively started growing halophytic (salt loving) vegetables in UAE.
They are growing six halophytic vegetables at its experimental station. These vegetables have been grown without using fresh water.
The vegetables include Salsola soda (agretti), Crithmum maritimum (rock samphire), Beta maritima (sea beet), Aster tripolium (sea aster), Salicornia bigelovii (samphire), and Portulaca oleracea (common purslane).
A halophyte agronomist at ICBA, Dr Dionysia Angeliki Lyra said that they are very happy to grow halophytic vegetables in the UAE conditions and the initial results are very promising.
These vegetables are very rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, vitamins and other vital elements essential for the human health.
ICBA is also working with UAE based chef Doxis Bekris to develop recipes using halophytic vegetables.
