Effect of nutrient management on growth and yield performance of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) under agroforestry system in plains of Chhattisgarh

Abstract

The experiment was carried out conducted during the rabi seasons of 2023-24 and 2024-25 at the Herbal Garden of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV), Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 8 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments included various combinations of NPK fertilizers and organic manures (FYM) to (T1) NPK 30:20:25 kg ha-1, (T2) NPK 60:40:50 kg ha-1, (T3) NPK 90:60:75 kg ha-1, (T4) NPK 120:80:100 kg ha-1, (T5) NPK 30:20:25 kg ha-1 + 5 t fym ha-1, (T6) NPK 60:40:50 kg ha-1 + 5 t fym ha-1, (T7) NPK 90:60:75 kg ha-1 + 5 t fym ha-1 and (T8) 10 t fym ha-1 evaluate the effects of integrated and sole nutrient applications on chia performance under partial tree shade. The results revealed that nutrient management significantly influenced the growth, yield, and economic returns of chia. Among all treatments, NPK 90:60:75 kg ha⁻¹ (T3) recorded the highest plant height, No. of branch, No. of leaf, leaf length, leaf width, spike length, No. of spike per plants, leaf area, dry matter accumulation, seed yield (645.20 kg ha⁻¹).Integrated application (T7: NPK 90:60:75 kg ha⁻¹ + 5 t FYM ha⁻¹) also produced competitive results while improving soil organic carbon and supporting tree growth. The study concludes that balanced chemical fertilization and integrated nutrient management enhance chia productivity, profitability, and sustainability under agroforestry systems.