Potatoes grown in sea water

Some Dutch researchers, not even scientists, just farmers, have grown some potatoes that thrive in salty conditions. They're experimenting to see how salt tolerant they can get them, and they're trying other veg too.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-30670988

They're talking about advantages for people in poorer countries, and people living off land that regularly gets flooded with sea water, but I think that's just the tip of the iceberg for its environmental implications. Imagine being able to irrigate crops with sea water, get the food of the crop, and with lots of extra foliage where usually there is little or none, I'm sure it wont be long before someone figures out how to capture the fresh water that will be sweated off during the day.

 

From what I gather, most of the salt accumulates in the foliage, which of course is fine for potatoes, but in other crops they've experimented with its not ideal, as you'd be consuming a fair bit more salt.

I think the article in the Guardian is better than the BBC one.

http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/oct/18/humble-potato-poised-to-launch-food-revolution

 

I don't know. The article also said we could look at 'growing' shrimps in the lakes too. Sounds a bit fishy to me.

 

Does that mean that it will also be OK for growing some varieties of lettuce?

 

Notice they're keeping quiet about the name of the spud they used

 

Its called 'Texel', pronounced 'Tessel' apparently. Its named after the island where they've bred it.

 

I seem to remember salt is good for growing beetroot.

 

I thought a Texel was a texture pixel? Cool name for a place if so!

 

It's a double musculed breed of sheep too

 

Is a very versatile potato isn't it!?