Mechanisms of salt stress tolerance in Casuarina: a review of recent research

Salinization is a global concern whose extent is predicted to progressively increase over this century. In this context, biosaline agriculture has been included in the set of climate-smart solutions to support sustainable and resilient ecosystems. The Casuarinaceae family is widely known for its intrinsic ability to thrive under saline environments. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying salt-tolerance in this family is of utmost importance for landscape integration and soil rehabilitation. In this mini-review, we present the state of the art of Casuarina research - from gene to ecosystem - in response to salinity, towards green growth and sustainable development. Based on literature retrieval from 2000 to 2021, a general overview of salt-stress tolerance in the Casuarinaceae is presented, and the extent of the contribution of root-nodule and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses, as well as the related eco-physiological and molecular changes are discussed.