Effect of spacing and liquid organic growth hormones on growth, yield and economics of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.)

Introduction

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.), an emerging oilseed crop of the family Lamiaceae, has gained worldwide attention as a "superfood" owing to its rich content of omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality protein, dietary fibre, antioxidants, vitamins and essential minerals. α-Linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid essential for human health, constitutes about 30-35% of the seed oil. The crop is well suited to tropical and subtropical environments, tolerates drought and requires minimal inputs, making it a promising option for sustainable and organic farming systems. Plant spacing, or crop geometry, is a crucial agronomic factor that governs plant population and influences light interception, nutrient use efficiency and ultimately yield. Wider spacing favours better development of individual plants, whereas closer spacing raises plant population per unit area. Liquid organic growth hormones (biostimulants) such as Panchgavya, Jeeva Amrut and Dashparni Ark contain beneficial microorganisms, enzymes, vitamins and growth-promoting substances that enhance nutrient uptake, microbial activity and physiological efficiency. However, information on the combined effect of spacing and liquid organic formulations on chia under Indian conditions, particularly the Prayagraj region, is limited. Keeping this in view, the present investigation was undertaken with the following objectives: (i) to study the effect of spacing and organic growth hormones on growth of chia; (ii) to study their effect on yield of chia; and (iii) to work out the economics of the different treatment combinations.

Materials and Methods

The field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2025-26 at the Agricultural Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Prof. Rajendra Singh (Rajju Bhaiya) University, Prayagraj (24°47′ N, 81°19′ E; 98 m above mean sea level). The region has a tropical, semi-arid climate. The crop variety used was Chia Ampion W-83. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments and three replications, giving a total of 30 plots of 3 m × 3 m (9 m²) each. Three spacings (30×10, 45×15 and 60×20 cm) were combined factorially with three liquid organic formulations (Panchgavya 5%, Jeeva Amrut 5% and Dashparni Ark 5%), along with a control (farmer practice). The treatment combinations are presented in Table 1. [8] ; treatment differences were tested by the critical difference (CD) at the 5% level of significance.

Results and Discussion

Growth parameters

Plant height: Plant height increased progressively with crop age under all treatments (Fig. 1, Table 2). At harvest, the maximum plant height (79.83 cm) was recorded under T8 (60×20 cm + Jeeva Amrut 5%), followed by T9 (78.63 cm) and T7 (77.63 cm), while the minimum (59.80 cm) was recorded under the control (T10).

Wider spacing consistently produced taller plants than closer spacing, owing to reduced inter-plant competition and better availability of light, moisture and nutrients; Jeeva Amrut further enhanced height through its growth-promoting microflora and readily available nutrients.

Number of branches and dry matter.

The number of branches per plant and dry matter accumulation followed the same trend (Fig. 2, Table 3). At harvest, T8 recorded the highest number of branches (19.75, statistically at par with T7) and the maximum dry weight (90.50 g plant⁻¹), whereas the control gave the lowest values (17.00 branches; 78.00 g plant⁻¹). Wider spacing improved canopy development and root proliferation, while the organic formulations enhanced axillary bud development and photosynthetic assimilate production. Crop growth rate and relative growth rate: Both CGR and RGR increased with crop age and were highest under wider spacing with Jeeva Amrut (Fig. 3). At 90 DAS, T8 recorded the maximum CGR (9.20 g m⁻² day⁻¹) and the highest RGR (40.76 mg g⁻¹ day⁻¹), against 5.30 and 21.50 respectively under the control. Improved aeration, light interception and microbialmediated nutrient availability under T8 raised photosynthetic efficiency and biomass accumulation.

Yield attributes

Yield-contributing characters were significantly improved by wider spacing combined with organic formulations (Fig. 4, Table 5). The maximum number of spikes per plant (29.20), spike length (18.76 cm) and spike weight (3.25 g) were recorded under T8, followed by T9 and T7, while the control recorded the lowest values. Better interception of sunlight, improved nutrient translocation and enhanced spike development under wider spacing accounted for the superiority of T8.

Seed, straw and biological yield

Seed yield, straw yield and biological yield differed significantly among treatments (Fig. 5 and6, Table 6). The highest seed yield (11.70 q ha⁻¹) was obtained under T8, followed by T9 (10.00 q ha⁻¹) and T7 (9.56 q ha⁻¹); the lowest (7.90 q ha⁻¹) was under the control. T8 also recorded the maximum biological yield (38.20 t ha⁻¹) and harvest index (30.63%). The higher yields under wider spacing with Jeeva Amrut resulted from improved growth, dry matter accumulation and superior yield attributes.

Economics

Economic analysis (Fig. 7 and 8, Table 7) showed marked variation among treatments. T8 (60×20 cm + Jeeva Amrut 5%) recorded the maximum gross return (₹1,79,630 ha⁻¹), net return (₹1,27,129 ha⁻¹) and the highest benefit-cost ratio (3.02), owing to its superior seed yield. This was followed by T9 (B:C 2.83) and T7 (B:C 2.38). The control recorded the lowest B:C ratio (1.14). Thus, wider spacing combined with Jeeva Amrut not only improved productivity but also maximised profitability.

Conclusion

Among all the treatment combinations, T8 -60×20 cm spacing with foliar application of Jeeva Amrut 5%proved the most effective and profitable for chia cultivation. It recorded the maximum plant height (79.83 cm), branches per plant (19.75), dry matter (90.50 g plant⁻¹), spikes per plant (29.20), seed yield (11.70 q ha⁻¹), net return (₹1,27,129 ha⁻¹) and benefit-cost ratio (3.02). Wider spacing improved resource use efficiency and photosynthetic activity, while Jeeva Amrut enhanced microbial activity and nutrient availability. Therefore, under the agroclimatic conditions of Prayagraj, farmers may be advised to adopt 60×20 cm spacing with foliar spray of Jeeva Amrut 5% for achieving higher seed yield, greater profitability and sustainable chia production.

References

1. Amer HM, El-Gohary AE, Hussien MS, Shible K. Effect of foliar organic fertilization and biostimulants on growth and productivity of chia (Salvia hispanica L.). Egyptian Journal of Chemistry. 2024;67(8):513-523.
2. Ayerza R, Coates W. Protein content, oil content and fatty acid composition of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) as affected by growing conditions. Industrial Crops and Products. 2011;34(2):1366-1371.
3. Calvo P, Nelson L, Kloepper JW. Agricultural uses of plant biostimulants. Plant and Soil. 2014;383(1-2):3-41.
4. Ingle SR, Patil VD, Deshmukh AR. Influence of spacing and organic nutrient management on growth and yield of chia (Salvia hispanica L.). Journal of Oilseed Research. 2025;42(1):45-50.
5. Jamboonsri W, Phillips TD, Geneve RL, Cahill JP, Hildebrand DF. Extending the range of an ancient crop, chia (Salvia hispanica L.)-a new ω-3 source. Industrial Crops and Products. 2012;34(2):1367-1373.
6. Njoka M, Masinde P, Mugo C. Influence of nitrogen levels and spacing on growth and yield of chia (Salvia hispanica L.). African Journal of Agricultural Science. 2022;14(2):4552.
7. Palekar S. The philosophy of spiritual farming (Zero Budget Natural Farming). Amravati (Maharashtra): Author; 2011.
8. Panse VG, Sukhatme PV. Statistical methods for agricultural workers. New Delhi: Indian Council of Agricultural Research; 1967.
9. Pravalika KM, Yogananda SB, Thimmegowda P, Reddy BN. Influence of row spacing and organic nutrient management on growth and yield of chia (Salvia hispanica L.). Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 2024;94(5):518-522.
10. Rossi R, Bochicchio R, Labella R, Bitella G, Perniola M, Amato M. Effect of sowing density and nitrogen fertilization on growth and yield of chia (Salvia hispanica L.). Agronomy. 2020;10(12):1980.
11. Singh R, Kumar A, Yadav D. Effect of spacing and fertilizer levels on yield and economics of chia (Salvia hispanica L.). International Journal of Environment and Climate Change. 2023;13(10):123-130.
12. Sreenivasa MN, Naik NM, Bhat SN. Beejamrutha and Jeevamrutha: a way to organic agricultural production. Bangalore: University of Agricultural Sciences; 2010.
13. Tiwari A, Pandey S, Mishra R. Effect of growth stimulants on yield and economics of chia (Salvia hispanica L.). Journal of Plant Growth Regulation. 2024;43(1):88-95.
14. Ullah R, Nadeem M, Khalique A, et al. Nutritional and therapeutic perspectives of chia (Salvia hispanica L.): a review. Journal of Food Science and Technology. 2016;53(4):1750-1758.
15. Yogananda SB, Reddy BN, Kumar V. Effect of spacing and organic growth hormones on growth and yield of chia (Salvia hispanica L.). Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science. 2026;212(1):25-32.