Abstract
During their development cycle, plants are subjected to variations of climatic conditions and soil proprieties which affect their growth. Scattered information is available on the mineral status of the halophytes habitat. B. macrocarpa, an annual herbaceous plant, was selected among a large number of other species, in coastal and marginal lands in Tunisia. We aimed in this study to focus on soil proprieties and plants mineral status during principal periods of the B. macrocarpa growth cycle, in order to understand the relationship between changes in soil fertility on plant growth and mineral acquisition. Results showed that soil fertility influences plant distribution between bared and vegetated soil. Furthermore, salinity increased notably in bared soil. This provides information concerning the role of the microhabitats, formed by halophytes tufts, in keeping adequate soil moisture. Nevertheless, mineral acquisition by plants was similar in both plant types, then this species is able to maintain adequate growth even in relatively poor and desiccated soil. Sodium and chloride were the most abundant ions in plants tissues; this reflects their utilisation in osmotic adjustment. Results herein suggested that the litter formed by halophyte fallen organs and by organic debris at the feet of tufts contributed to localized soil enrichment in N and P.