Characterization and Evaluation of Salvia hispanica L. and Salvia columbariae Benth. Varieties for Their Cultivation in Southwestern Germany

Abstract

Rising consumer attraction towards superfoods and the steadily increasing demand for healthy, environmentally sustainable, and regionally produced food products has sharpened the demand for chia. Over the course of 4 years, two early flowering chia varieties belonging to Salvia hispanica L., and Salvia columbariae Benth. Species were identified to complete their phenological development and, therefore, able to reach maturity under a photoperiod >12 h, thus enabling the cultivation of chia in central Europe—more specifically, in southwestern Germany—consistently for the first time. Results obtained by the conducted field trial in 2018 showed that chia seed yields and thousand-seed mass ranged from 284.13 to 643.99 kg ha−1 and 0.92 to 1.36 g, respectively. Further, the statistical analyses showed that the protein content of the cultivated chia varieties ranged from 22.14 to 27.78%, the mucilage content varied from 10.35 to 20.66%, and the crude oil content amounted up to 28.00 and 31.73%. Fatty acid profiles were similar to previously reported data with α-Linolenic acid being the most prominent one, ranging from 60.40 to 65.87%, and we obtained ω6:ω3 ratios between 0.2 and 0.3. In conclusion, chia could represent a promising raw material from a nutritional point of view, while being able to diversify the local food basis of southwestern Germany.

Sowing density rather than row spacing influences chia radiation use and yield

“…Relationships between the (left) relative grain yield (GY) and the relative verticillaster number (VN) and (right) the relative grains per verticillaster (GV) for our data (open triangles) and those from Diez et al., 2021 (close circles); Grimes et al., 2020 (open circles); de Freitas et al., 2016 (close squares); and Win et al., 2018 (open squares). All variables were relativized to the highest value in each environment.…”

“…Grimes et al. (2020) also reported a non‐uniform maturation of chia, showing the verticillasters of side branches a delay in ripens than central branches. We hypothesized that, beyond the different plasticity that these two yield components could have, the VN responded to sowing density as it was defined earlier in the crop cycle, when plants sowed at different densities did not compete for the amount and light distribution.…”

“…Radiation shortages reduce the number of verticillasters on second and third order branches throughout the critical period, but only in the latter part of the critical period do they reduce the number of GV on all branch orders. Grimes et al (2020) also reported a non-uniform maturation of chia, showing the verticillasters of side branches a delay in ripens than central branches. We hypothesized that, beyond the different plasticity that these two yield components could have, the VN responded to sowing density as it was defined earlier in the crop cycle, when plants sowed at different densities did not compete for the amount and light distribution.…”

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Seeds Phytochemicals, Bioactive Compounds, and Applications: A Review

“…The concentrations of these active compounds may vary due to cultivation regions. The environmental variations, climate changes, nutrient availabilities, cultivation year, or soil conditions affect the composition of phytochemicals [18]. Chia seed has high-fat content (30-33%), proteins (15-25%), dietary fibre (18-30%), carbohydrates (26-41%), vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals [19].…”