Effect of salinity on seed oil content and fatty acid composition of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) genotypes

► Salinity stress causes oil content and oil yield reduction in safflower. ► Salinity stress causes an increase in the oleate/linoleate ratio. ► Salt tolerant genotypes affected less than salt-sensitive ones by salinity stress. ► Oil content of genotypes under normal and saline field is correlated significantly. ► The inhibition of oleic acid desaturase is occurred under salt stress conditions.