Optimization of rapid nursery raising and field establishment protocol in chia (Salvia hispanica L.)

Chia is an annual short day herb and its cultivation is gaining commercial importance across the globe and in India as a new and alternate crop. The present study was undertaken to optimize the nursery raising protocol. The results revealed that 37.2 cc cells having 50 cells in a tray were optimal for holding media and also for seedling growth. Among various growing media, Cocopeat + Vermicompost + soil (1:1:1) was found suitable growing media with higher shoot length, seedling vigour index and dry weight of seedlings. Age of seedlings at the time of transplanting i.e., at 15 days stage showed good establishment rate (98.9%) as compared to 10 days (85.2%). From this study, it is concluded that the ideal media combination of Cocopeat + Vermicompost + soil (1:1:1), 37.2 cc tray size, and transplanting of 15 days old seedlings results in better growth and establishment of chia under field conditions. Further, this protocol is beneficial in saving seeds, germplasm maintenance, and breeding programs where small seeds are difficult to sow directly in the field and also with no loss of seedlings under field conditions. © 2022, The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Society for Plant Research.