Salvia hispanica cultivar:TCC Black 2014 Heat Stress Transcriptomic Analysis

Heat stress is a major abiotic factor limiting crop productivity worldwide. While much is known about thermotolerance in major crops, the molecular mechanisms underlying heat stress responses in underutilised oilseed species, such as Salvia hispanica L. (chia), remain largely unexplored. Chia has gained attention for its high content of omega-3 fatty acids; however, its response to elevated temperatures, especially at the molecular level in vegetative tissues, has not been characterised. This study aims to address this knowledge gap by performing integrated transcriptomic and lipidomic analyses of chia leaves subjected to short-term (3 h) and prolonged (27 h) heat stress, followed by recovery under ambient conditions. The findings will contribute to a deeper understanding of thermotolerance mechanisms in chia and support the development of heat-resilient oilseed crops.