Base-temperature, plastochron and chia (Salvia hispanica L. - Lamiaceae) yield for different sowing times

ABSTRACT Chia is a plant whose seeds are used in cooking and is a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and protein, as well as other important nutritional components such as antioxidants. The objective of this work was to estimate the base temperature, plastochron and chia seed yield for different sowing times in Cruz Alta, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized and the treatments consisted of different sowing times (September, October and November). For the determination of the base temperature for node emission in the main stem of the plants, the method of least mean square error of linear regression between the number of nodes and the accumulated thermal sum was used. Regarding estimation of the plastochron at each sowing time, a simple linear regression was obtained between the number of nodes in the main stem and the accumulated thermal sum. Seed yield was measured at harvest. Sowing in times with air temperature below 19 ºC should be avoided so that the development of plants is not impaired. Plastochron ranges from 28.01 ºC to 32.26 ºC day for successive node emission in the main stem of chia plants and September sowing promotes higher seed yield.