Rising sea levels and increasing salinization pose a real threat to agriculture in coastal areas. At Dhanya International, we have focused for years on breeding halophytes – plants that are naturally resistant to salt. Our latest research project, focused on the potato (Solanum tuberosum), has now yielded concrete results.

Under controlled conditions at our experimental station in Yerseke, we tested various genetic modifications. The most successful line, internally called 'Zeevaste Vroege', showed a yield reduction of only 15% on soil with a salinity level where conventional varieties fail completely. This is a significant improvement over previous experiments.

The Science Behind the Adaptation

The key lies in strengthening the natural mechanisms for salt excretion and protecting the cell structure. We have introduced genes that stimulate the production of specific proteins and sugar molecules, allowing the plant to actively excrete salt via specialized glands on the leaves, a method we have studied in glasswort.

Next Steps and Field Trials

The next two years will be dedicated to extensive field trials on actual saline plots with farmers in Zeeland. We will monitor not only the yield but also the nutritional value and the long-term effects on soil health. The ultimate goal is to develop a variety that is economically viable for the grower, without compromising on quality.

This research is part of our broader mission to make Dutch agriculture more resilient to climate change. In addition to potatoes, our teams are also working on salt-tolerant variants of wheat and barley.