Growth Performance of Medicinal Plants in Salt Stress Conditions

Successful utilization of culturable wastelands mainly the salt affected soil necessitates suitable management strategies. Chemical reclamation of these soils for cultivation of arable crops is sometimes found uneconomical. There is a great concern to find out the viable alternatives like breeding salt tolerant varieties or searching crops, which can withstand such hazards. In this context, some medicinal and aromatic crops are found potential to be grown under salt affected conditions. The consumption of herbal, medicinal, aromatic and pharmaceutical products are increasing day by day. Many of these products have high commercial value and are expected to be potential foreign exchange earns. Unlike traditional crops, numerous ancillary activities are involved with these commercial crops. Besides boosting farm income, these crops are expected to generate employment in rural sector. Looking into the requirement today, it has become imperative to boost the production of this high value medicinal crop through commercial cultivation. Since these crops are marginal in nature, they cannot complete with traditional agriculture crops for good quality fertile lands, as there is already much