ABSTRACT
I. INTRODUCTION Degradation of arable lands is a major constraint to agriculture worldwide, with soil salinization, particularly in irrigated areas, playing a major role [1]. Nearly 10% of the earth’s total land surface, or 954 Mha, is covered with salt-affected soil [2], of which from 60 to over 100 Mha is currently salt-affected as a result of human activity [3,4]. In addition, the extent of soil salinization is continually increasing. Ten to 20 Mha of irrigated agricultural lands deteriorate to zero productivity each year because of salt buildup [5,6]. Much of this land, although now too saline for conventional agriculture, is currently, or has the potential to be, utilized for growing salt-tolerant or halophytic forage species, of which the Poaceae (grasses) play a prominent role [7].
