There's a limited amount of fresh water in the world and more demand for it than the supply can fill. That's one reason scientists are working on turning salt water into an alternative to fresh water for agriculture.
GSFC To Promote Seaweed Farming The Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd. (GSFC), Baroda, plans to promote the cultivation of Salicornia, a special salt water or wasteland plant that has export potential and yields several value added products. Gujarat with its 1,600-km long coastline has vast potential for such farming. Besides, the plant is environment friendly. Salicornia provides value-added products: its seeds yield edible oil that is low in cholesterol and contains antioxidants; its succulent tips are used widely in Europe and USA in green salad dressings; the plant itself can be excellent fodder. Research has revealed the potential of its biomass, too. The green biomass can be used as fodder for cattle. This fodder has increased milk yield by 15 per cent in addition to making it protein rich. The dry biomass is used to prepare particleboard (for use in furniture). The 1,600-km coastal stretch can yield an area of 2,500 sq. km for salt-water farming. Growing the plant involves creating salt-water farms. Those involved in shrimp farming too can grow Salicornia. The seawater can be collected in fish ponds used for shrimp farming. Once the fish are harvested and removed, Salicornia can be grown in the same water, which is rich in nutrients after the fish have harvested here leaving behind excreta. The plant helps in the absorption of carbon dioxide and reduces global warming and helps in controlling the greenhouse effect. http://www.baroda-online.com/spectoms/Trends.html http://www.cnn.com/TECH/9606/18/t_t/saltwater.farms/ (Hodges) http://unfccc.int/program/coop/aij/aijact/mexusa01.html (Murphy) http://cati.csufresno.edu/cit/pers/stories/Sharonsbio-8.html http://www.humboldt.edu/~ere_dept/marsh/saltveg.html http://www.inra.fr/presse/FEV99/GB/nb3.htm http://www.tsgc.utexas.edu/trcp/wetland.html -- Steve Spence Subscribe to the Renewable Energy Newsletter & Discussion Boards. Read about Sustainable Technology: http://www.green-trust.org [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Rent DVDs Online-No late fees! Try Netflix for FREE! http://us.click.yahoo.com/bbvVKB/oEZFAA/46VHAA/FGYolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://archive.nnytech.net/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
