Interactive effects between salinity and nutrient deficiency on biomass production and bio-active compounds accumulation in the halophyte Crithmum maritimum

Plant bioactive metabolites play a pivotal role in protection against environmental stresses and offer great potential for nutraceutical exploitation. In this sense, halophytes present an exceptional opportunity sustainable saline agriculture since they can massively accumulate under stressful conditions. We investigated the responses of halophyte Crithmum maritimum to increasing salinity, nutrient deficient their interaction. hypothesized that concentration compounds would increase together with salinity deficient, interaction between these two produce synergic effects on accumulation. studied tolerance foliar accumulation nutrients (amino acids, phenols, terpenes fatty acids) C. response deprivation greenhouse controlled The high was not diminished by limitation. Mineral nutrition deficit saturated acid were induced at 200–500 mM NaCl, polyphenol 5-caffeoylquinic some amino acids identified as deficiency markers. responded mainly reducing five total lipids, limitation vaccenic acid. availability provoked antagonistic synergistic acids. showed physiological phenotypic plasticity salt stress, combination.