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@ATinyGreenCell@genomic.socialSpent my lunch break grabbing some sand from near one of these salt-growing Lamb's Quarters (Chenopodium album) and will begin a backburner long-term project adapting these to higher and higher salt. The whole plant is edible and a close cousin to quinoa. Underrated weed ripe for some science :)
To-Do:
Cas9 cut of oxalic acid pathway
Bigger grains
Higher salt tolerance
Dwarf phenotypes
@ATinyGreenCell Watching....
@ATinyGreenCell We used it as an indicator plant for plant viruses. Mash a few leaves from test plant in mortal and pestle, add pinch of diatomaceous ‘earth’, rub onto 2-4 C. album leaves, and check daily for symptoms. 
Cheaper but, less accurate and longer than ELISAs.
@lzvolk that's so cool!!!
@ATinyGreenCell That was in early to mid-1980’s. Molecular plant virology was in infant stage then, started to take off when I moved on to mammalian pathology. I’m impressed at your achievements in your home laboratory! (And envious 
; would love a home lab)
@lzvolk that sincerely means so much. Deeply flattering. Thank you!
@ATinyGreenCell We also grew C. quinoa as well for a few specific viruses. Check out the trichomes (salt bladders) on fully developed leaves under a microscope. The C. alba didn’t develop as many trichomes as the C. quinoa, but our soil mix was relatively low salt content. Yours may if you mimic their seaside habitat. Trichomes are fascinating!