Influence of environment on growing period and yield, protein, oil and α-linolenic content of three chia (Salvia hispanica L.) selections

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is an annual summer herb, and a member of the Labiatae family. Three selections, named Tzotzol, Iztac 1, and Tliltic, were planted at different elevations in three Inter-Andean valleys of Ecuador (Patate—2042 m, Guayllabamba—2200 m and Salinas—1621 m) to assess performance and seed quality. Length of growing period was influenced by location, with Tzotzol and Iztac 1 increasing with elevation. Iztac 1 had the highest seed yield at all three locations, with the difference between Iztac1 and Tzotzol being significant (P < 0.05). Similar protein contents were found among selections, within a site, except for Patate where Tliltic had a higher content. Seed at the Salinas site contained significantly (P < 0.05) higher α-linolenic and lower linoleic and oleic fatty acid contents than seed produced at the other two sites. In general seed yield, protein content, and fatty acid composition of the three selections were similar, and in some cases higher, than those reported for other ecosystems in which chia has been grown.