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

• Main Authors: Samantha Jo Grimes, Filippo Capezzone, Peteh Mehdi Nkebiwe, Simone Graeff-Hönninger
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-12-01
• Series: Agronomy
• Subjects: <i>Salvia hispanica</i> L.; <i>Salvia columbariae</i> Benth.; yield traits; quality traits; regional cultivation
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/10/12/2012

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 <i>Salvia hispanica</i> L., and <i>Salvia columbariae</i> 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.