Tolerance of chia (Salvia hispanica) to aluminum

The contamination of soil and water with toxic metals as aluminum (Al) is an obstacle to agricultural crops resulting in productivity losses of the affected plants. The objective of this work was to evaluate aluminum tolerance of chia during the germination process. Seeds were placed on paper embedded in an aqueous solution of aluminum chloride at concentrations of zero, 30, 60, 90 and 120 mg L-1. The parameters evaluated were germination percentage, first count, germination speed index, and length and dry mass of seedlings. The results obtained indicate that concentrations of Al equal or less than 90 mg L-1 do not influence the germination and initial growth of chia. Based on the levels evaluated in this work, chia seeds are tolerant to the toxicity of Al in the substrate.