Effect of late salinization of chia (Salvia hispanica), stock (Matthiola tricuspidata) and evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) on their oil content and quality

Linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid are the main essential polyunsaturated fatty acids that are required in the human diet. The omega-3 essential fatty acids, found in fish and some plants' seed oil, are linked to a lowered risk of heart disease. In and and semiarid regions, where water availability is a major limitation in crop production, alternative water resources, such as saline water and treated sewage effluent, are utilized. Oilseed plants, rich in essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, may be considered a highly economic substitute for common field crops irrigated with fresh water. The purpose of the present study was to determine the influence of irrigation with saline water on the oil yield and quality of Salvia, Matthiola and Oenothera plants. We found that salinity affected the oil content and composition of each plant differently. Salinity decreased the oil yield of Salvia plants, increased it in Oenothera and had no effect on Matthiola. Changes were also found in the oils' composition, which may have clinical implications. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.