"Caribe" (Cnidoscolus angustidens Torr.), a promising oilseed geophyte from semiarid norwest Mexico

The reproductive phenology of [`]caribe' (Cnidoscolus angustidens Torr.) and the oil quality and content of its seeds were studied to provide information for possible cultivation. Caribe is a perennial herb, widely distributed in the Cape Region of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Seeds of caribe a...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: León de la Luna, José Luis, Troyo D., Enrique, Ortega Nieblas, M. Magdalena, López Gutiérrez, Francisco
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:1999
País:México
Institución:Instituto Politécnico Nacional
Repositorio:Repositorio Digital del IPN
OAI Identifier:oai:www.repositoriodigital.ipn.mx:123456789/13274
Acceso en línea:http://www.repositoriodigital.ipn.mx/handle/123456789/13274
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Sonoran Desert
dryland agriculture
oil seeds
Euphorbiaceae
desert resources
Descripción
Sumario:The reproductive phenology of [`]caribe' (Cnidoscolus angustidens Torr.) and the oil quality and content of its seeds were studied to provide information for possible cultivation. Caribe is a perennial herb, widely distributed in the Cape Region of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Seeds of caribe are considered edible by older inhabitants, yet despite these local testimonies their potential uses are unknown. We believe caribe has the potential to become a successful crop in semi-arid and arid regions. Seeds were found to contain 26% edible oil, and a single plant can yield at least 50 g of seeds. A cultivated crop could yield up to 500 kg ha-1per season, with the possibility of increasing it through plant breeding and agronomic practices.