Effect of sowing density and nitrogen top-dress fertilisation on growth and yield of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) in a Mediterranean environment: first results

Abstract

The demand for sources of nutraceuticals has led to the rediscovery and diffusion of traditional crops such as chia (Salvia hispanica L.), whose leaves and fruits are rich in W3 fatty acids and anti-oxidants. Chia originates in Central America but it is rapidly expanding to new areas. A field experiment conducted at Atella in Basilicata (Southern Italy) was set up to test the response of chia to N top-dress fertilisation (0 and 20 kg ha -1 ) and to sowing density (D1=125, D2=25, D3=8 and D4=4 plants m -2 ) in a split-plot design with three replications. First results show maximum leaf area index values up to 7.1 and fresh vegetative biomass production at early flowering ranging between 50.87 (D4) and 59.71 (D1) t ha -1 . Yield increased with plant density: a significantly (P<0.01) higher production (398 kg ha -1 ) was reached in D1. N top-dressing had a detrimental effect on yield and corresponded to higher lodging and lower maturation percentage of seeds, though non-significant. Based on our first results it seems worthwhile to continue agronomical trials for chia in herbaceous systems of southern Italy for leaf production based on traditional genotypes, while fruit production might be pursued by adopting high sowing density and the search for longer-day genotypes. IntroductionSalvia hispanica L, known as chia, is a multifunctional plant whose food use may be traced back as far as 2500 B.C. Domesticated in Mesoamerica around 2600 B.C. it has been a staple food in Mexico between 1500 and 900 B.C. (Pozo Pozo, 2010). It is an annual herbaceous species belonging to the Labiatae family, and its fruits were one of the four main food source traditionally used in pre-Colombian times. It has recently been re-discovered (Ayerza and Coates, 2009) due to its high content of nutraceuticals and therefore the potential for a functional food and a feed capable of increasing the nutritional value of milk and meat products (Ayerza and Coates, 2006;Peiretti and Meineri, 2008).

Growth and yield of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) in the Mediterranean and desert climates of Chile

“…In Paraguay yields of 1600 kg ha -1 were reported (Bochicchio et al, 2015), while in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, the main productive zone of chia in this country, mean yields of 1200 kg ha -1 were obtained. In our study, the yields of sowing dates F1 and F2 (between 4 January and 4 February) in CH were systematically and significantly superior to those of VA (Figure 4).…”

“…Chia grows naturally in tropical and subtropical environments; it is optimally established from 400 to 2500 m a.s.l., but conditions below 200 m elevation are not adequate for its cultivation (Orozco et al, 2014). It is intolerant to freezing in all development stages (Lobo et al, 2011;Bochicchio et al, 2015). Its minimum and maximum growth temperatures are 11° and 36 °C, respectively, with an optimum range of 16-26 °C (Ayerza and Coates, 2009).…”

Impact of Row Spacing, Sowing Density and Nitrogen Fertilization on Yield and Quality Traits of chia (Salvia Hispanica L.) Cultivated in southwestern Germany

“…To date, scientific literature on crop management techniques, physiological aspects and agronomic characterization of chia is generally quite scarce, even more so for the production of chia outside of its Mesoamerican origin [8][9][10][11]. In regard to reported sowing densities in the literature, Bochicchio et al [12] stated that growth and yield of chia were highest at sowing densities of 125 plants m -2 which is contrary to Bilalis et al [13] who stated that chia growth was not affected by sowing rate. In terms of quality traits, Bilalis et al [13] showed that the crude protein of chia significantly increased as sowing rates increased.…”

“…In addition to sowing density and row spacing, nitrogen fertilization plays a critical role concerning seed yield and seed quality traits. It was shown by Bochicchio et al [12] that N-top-dressing had a negative effect on chia seed yields whereas Bilalis et al [13] reported that chia growth was not affected by fertilization. An assessment of optimized nitrogen fertilization is necessary in order to evaluate the direct effects on plant maturity, seed yield, and protein content, respectively.…”

Organic Agriculture and Innovative Crops under Mediterranean Conditions

“…In preColumbian period, chia seeds were one of the four main components in the diet of Mesoamerican civilizations (Bochicchio et al, 2015). Currently, it has been rediscovered (Ayerza and Coates, 2009) and received remarkable attention due to its exceptional nutritional value (Borneo et al, 2010;Ixtaina et al, 2011).…”