Usage possibilities of Limonium gmelinii plant in phytoremediation

Ensuring the continuity and usage of naturally growing species in soils with high salinity and boron toxicity, without causing a substantial economic burden, has become an increasingly important issue in the world. A lot of research has been done in the world on the improvement of saline soils and many plants have been used in remediation, but there are very few studies on the use of ornamental plants in the treatment of contaminated soils. Phytoremediation studies are mostly conducted for heavy metal pollution and there are very few studies on salinity. It is very important to grow plants with high economic value and resistant to these conditions in the cultivation of saline and boron toxic soils for agriculture. In current times where soil degradation has accellerated; The halophyte "Limonium gmelinii (çardak süpürgesi) plant has been researched in this study as we deem it to be valuable in the improvement of dry and salty soils. Experiment 1 plant x 1 soil x 3 subjects (NaCl, Na2SO4, B) x 4 doses ((0, 50, 100, 150 mM NaCl), (0, 50, 100, 150 mM Na2SO4), (0, 5, 10, 15 mg/l B)) x 5 replicates were carried out in 60 pots and 3 plants in a greenhouse setting. In NaCl and Na2SO4 applications, Na values increased in the plant compared to soil and were found to be higher in Na2SO4 applications than NaCl applications. The plant, on average, took 10500 ppm Na from the soil and stored it without sustaining significant damage. In NaCl applications, Cl accumulation occurred in the plant and not in the soil, NaCl 3 applications the average Cl value of the plant rose up to 33700 ppm. In Na2SO4 applications, SO4 values were higher in the plant compared to soil and the average SO4 value rose up to 59300 ppm. In Na2SO4 applications, viscous intense salt accumulation occurred on the leaf. In B applications, there was no significant increase in soil B values, but there was an increase in the plant values where then a decrease occurred. The plant is thought to tolerate and diminish B toxicity by removing high boron concentrations thanks to its salt secretory glands. With this study, it was determined that the Limonium gmelinii plant was tolerant to 150 mM NaCl, 150 mM Na2SO4 and 15 mg/lt B applications and it was determined that by taking different doses of these subjects applied to soil, it removed toxicity in soil. Therefore, it was concluded that Limonium gmelinii plant can be used for phytoremediation in soils that are exposed to NaCl, Na2SO4 and B toxicity.