The potential of using medicinal herbs in haloculture, a case study of the caper plant (Capparis spinosa L.)

Salinity is a stress factor that seriously limits the production of agricultural products in arid and semi-arid regions. Considering the increasing trend of salinity and the lack of suitable agricultural lands for agriculture, the identification of saline tolerant plants is very important. Caper (Capparis spinosa) is a perennial plant of the family Capparidaceae that has been used as a seasoning for food, and in traditional medicine for the treatment of rheumatism, liver disease and gout. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of salinity stress on morphological and physiological characteristics of caper plants. Studies have shown that caper plants can tolerate saline stress conditions, so this medicinal plant can be used as a crop in arid and semi-arid regions as well as in saline conditions.