Enhancing the Growth and Productivity of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Using Compost and Biostimulants

Abd El-kader, Mohamed; Hammad, El-Sayed; Mahmoud, Ahmed

doi:10.22059/ijhst.2025.392421.1051

Enhancing the Growth and Productivity of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Using Compost and Biostimulants

Document Type : Research paper

Authors

Mohamed Abd El-kader

El-Sayed Hammad

Ahmed Mahmoud

Horticulture Dept., Fac. Agric., Al-Azhar Univ., Assiut, Egypt

10.22059/ijhst.2025.392421.1051

Abstract

A two-year field study conducted during the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 seasons evaluated the effects of organic manure and biostimulant foliar applications on chia (Salvia hispanica L.). The experimental design involved applying compost at rates of 0, 10, 15, and 20 m³/fed, and foliar sprays of two biostimulant substances: a blend of amino acids (at 100 and 200 ppm) and seaweed extract (at 2 and 4 ml/l). The results indicated that compost application significantly improved growth parameters, yield, fixed oil production, and chemical constituents, with the highest compost rate (20 m³/fed) generally exhibiting the greatest positive effect. Foliar treatments with both amino acids and seaweed extract further enhanced these traits, particularly when seaweed extract was applied at 4 ml/l. Moreover, significant interactive effects were observed between compost and biostimulant treatments; notably, the combination of 20 m³/fed compost with seaweed extract at 4 ml/l resulted in the most pronounced improvements in all measured parameters.

Keywords

Amino acids

Compost

Fixed oil

Salvia hispanica

Seaweed extract