Potential for Growing <i>Salvia hispanica</i> L., Areas under Rainfed Conditions in Mexico

Abstract

The Salvia hispanica L. is an endemic species Mexican plant, which relevance relies upon its properties as a natural source of omega 3 ( α -linolenic acid), soluble and insoluble fibers, proteins, plus some other significant nutritional components. Due to the growing relevance generated by this crop, it became necessary to characterize its physical environment, as well as the natural factors related with its cultivation nationwide, aiming to find those most suitable for its production under rainfed conditions, looking forward to provide the basis to make a decision regarding where to target the agriculture promotion of such cropland. The software used for data process and analysis was the Arc/View 3.3 version. Thus, the crop requirements were recognized in order to analyze those most suitable for chia development in each one of its selected variables in the study hereby. The regionalization and mapping aimed to detect both the optimal and suboptimal potential areas for such crop were carried out, afterwards. It was finally determined that Mexico holds a total of 2,512,359 hectares with an optimal or high cultivation potential, whereas the areas with a medium or suboptimal potential are close to 3,658,089 hectares, which can be set under rainfed conditions.