| dc.description.abstract | Production of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) in Kenya is gaining momentum, and it has attracted a lot
of attention due to its nutritious seeds. The high demand for this food crop has resulted in
haphazard cultivation and production. There is still scarce agronomic information regarding
nitrogen nutrition, spacing and water requirement in Meru County. Two field experiments
(nitrogen and spacing) and (soil moisture) were conducted at Meru University of Science and
Technology, to develop a suitable crop management system for the cultivation and production of
Chia plant. The nitrogen and spacing experiment was setup in a split-plot randomized design with
three replications. Chia plants were subjected to four nitrogen levels (0,40, 80,120 kg N ha) and
three spacing arrangement (30cmx15cm (S1), 30cm x 30cm (S2) and 50cmx50cm(S3). The soil
moisture experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design with three replications.
Plants were subjected to four soil moisture regimes; watering to the seedling stage, watering to the
vegetative stage, watering to the flowering stage, and continuous watering. Data was collected on
growth parameters (number of leaves, stem height, number of branches, stem diameter, total dry
weight) and yield parameters. Collected data were analysed using SAS 2007, and means were
separated by LSD test (P≤0.05). A higher nitrogen level of 120 KgN/ha significantly increased the
number of leaves, stem height, stem diameter, number of branches, total dry weight and seed yield
compared to 0 KgN/ha. Wider spacing (S3) significantly increased growth of Chia compared to a
closer spacing (S1). The seed yield per plant increased significantly with the increase in spacing
from $1 to $3. However, a significant reduction in the seed yield per area was reported in a wider
spacing (S3) compared to a closer spacing (S1). Variation of soil moisture significantly influenced
(P<0.05) growth and yield of Chia. Watering to the seedling stage significantly decreased the
growth of Chia plant. The plant water status in regards to leaf relative water content decreased
with a decrease in the soil moisture in the soil from 21% to 8%. Control plants had a higher seed
yield per plant than plants watered to the seedling stage. Application of a high nitrogen level of
120kgNha, a closer spacing of 15 cm x 30 cm and watering to the vegetative stage is recommended
as the best management practice for farmers. | en_US |
