Variability Of Fruit And Seed-Oil Characteristics In Tunisian Accessions Of The Halophyte Cakile Maritima (Brassicaceae)

Abstract

The annual coastal halophyte Cakile maritima shows considerable ecological and economic importance. This study describes the variability of the fruit characteristics in twelve accessions of this species, harvested along the Tunisian littoral. Depending on the plant-sampling site, seed-oil contents ranged from 25% to 39% on the seed fresh weight basis. Reserve lipids (Triacylglycerols) represented 80% to 97% of the total lipids, and erucic acid, was the major fatty acid (25% to 35% of the total fatty acids). Fruit morphology and ion status within stems, siliques, and seeds exhibited great fluctuation. Cakile maritima seems to protect its reproductive organs from the salt harmful accumulation.