Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) production potential in western India influenced by planting date and crop geometry

Abstract

Field trials were conducted at Mandore Agricultural Research Station in Jodhpur during the winter months of 2017-18 and 2018-19. This study aims to improve planting date and crop geometry to improve chia growth and yield, seed yield and oil production in arid and semi-arid environments. Over the two years of the study, chia seeds performed better in terms of number of branches, number of inflorescences, seed yield and oil yield when planted on October 15 and October 25. Seed yield per plant was higher at wider (90 cm) planting dates). Seed yield of high strains (30 cm x 45 cm and 30 cm x 35 cm) The highest seed yield was obtained when chia seeds were sown on October 15 with a plant geometry of 30 cm x 30 cm, followed by the same plant geometry with a planting date of October 25 (1083 kg/ha and 1016 kg/ha respectively). The crop takes an average of 120 days to mature for all planting dates except 25 November and 5 December. Crop geometry does not affect the number of growing days of chia seeds. It was concluded that in western Rajasthan conditions, chia seeds can be sown between 15-25 October with a 30 cm x 30 cm crop for the seeds and more oil. The results of this study will help guide and develop a suite of practices for chia seeds in India.