Volume 2, Issue 1, March 2015, Pages 21–29
Effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and irrigation frequency on essential oil content and composition of sage (Salvia officinalis L.)
Highlights
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- N, P and irrigation frequency did not affect the content of the essential oil in sage.
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- β-Pinene increased with increasing N level and decreased with reducing irrigation frequency.
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- NxP interaction affected α- and β-thujone accumulation, and Nx irrigation frequency affected α-thujone.
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- The share of 1,8-cineole and viridiflorol in the essential oil negatively correlated.
Abstract
Essential
oil produced by aromatic plants is affected by many environmental
factors including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and watering frequency. Salvia officinalis
(sage) is an aromatic plant widely used in the food, medicine and
cosmetic industries. We studied effects of N, P, and irrigation
frequency on essential oil content and composition of sage. In a field
experiment in a plastic tunnel N and P were each supplied at four rates
(0, 40, 80, 120 kg N ha−1; 0, 30, 60, 90 kg P ha−1)
and the plants were watered every 1, 2, or 4 weeks. The treatments did
not affect essential oil content. Fifty-four compounds were identified
in the essential oil. N and watering frequency affected the production
of β-pinene, and interactive effects were noted for NxP on α-and
β-thujones, and for Nx irrigation frequency on α-thujone. Negative
correlation was identified between 1,8-cineole and viridiflorol. The
percentage of camphor was higher than the recommended threshold by ISO
standard for trade of sage essential oil.
Keywords
- Salvia officinalis;
- Nitrogen;
- Phosphorus;
- Irrigation;
- Essential oil;
- Essential oil composition
- Corresponding
authors at: Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sci., Volcani
Center, POB 6, Bet Dagan 50-20, Israel. Tel.:
+972 506 220 707/+972 506 220 010.
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