Chia (Salvia Hispanica L.)- A Climate Resilient Oilseed for Sustainable Bioenergy & Agricultural System

Rising energy demand and increasing climate variability have intensified interest in multipurpose crops capable of supporting both nutritional and bioresource needs. The present investigation examines drought tolerance, yield stability, and biomass productivity of diverse chia (Salvia hispanica L.) genotypes under graded moisture regimes to evaluate their relevance for sustainable bioenergy pathways. Considerable variation among genotypes was observed in seed yield, harvest index, and physiological resilience under water-limited conditions, with selected lines maintaining comparatively stable productivity despite moisture stress. Yield performance showed close association with traits such as relative water content, chlorophyll stability, root development, and efficient assimilate partitioning, reflecting integrated adaptive responses that enable continued biomass and seed production. Because chia seeds possess substantial oil content and the residual biomass can be utilized for secondary energy conversion, stable productivity under drought enhances its suitability as a climate-resilient bioresource. The identification of tolerant, high-yielding genotypes therefore supports the possibility of integrating chia into sustainable farming and bioenergy-linked production systems, particularly in semi-arid regions. Overall, the study highlights the dual significance of chia as a nutritionally valuable oilseed and a potential contributor to renewable bioresource strategies aligned with climate-smart agriculture and long-term environmental sustainability.