Effect of Bio-nitrogen Fertilization, Plant Density and Irrigation on Physiological and Agronomic Characteristics of Salvia officinalis Organic Cultivation

Abstract

Sage (Salvia officinalis L) is a widespread aromatic and medicinal plant with various positive affects in human diet and health. In order to investigate the interaction among bio-fertilization, plant density and irrigation regimes, in Salvia officinalis cultivation, an experimental field was established at the University Farm of Thessaly, in Velestino (Greece). The transplant was carried out in October 2016 and the experiment data concern the plant height, Leaf Area Index (LAI), Chlorophyll content and dry biomass of the 3 rd and 4 th growing years. A split-split-plot experimental design was used, including two irrigation regimes (IR0: no irrigation and IR1: irrigation), three bio -nitrogen fertilization systems (N0: 0 kg ha -1 , N1: 40 kg ha -1 , N2: 80 kg ha -1 ) and two different plant density (D1: 10.000 and D2: 20.000 plants ha -1 ). The use of the drip irrigation system ameliorated the plant height, the dry leaves yield and the LAI. The dry leaves yield in 3 rd year was ranged between 166.3 -522 kg ha -1 and 101.67 -359 kg ha -1 in May and August, respectively. As it concerns the Chlorophyll index (CCI), the bio -nitrogen fertilization and the irrigation had provoked an increase to its amount during the studied growing year. Therefore, Salvia officinalis can be a promising perennial crop, cultivated under the Greek climatic conditions.

Influence of an Organic Fertilizer on Agronomic Characteristics and Herbaceous Plant Diversity in a Greek Ecosystem: The Case of Cretan Dittany (Origanum dictamnus L.)

“…In this study LAI was affected by the doses of fertilizer and the results revealed that the T2 treatment has significantly increased LAI. The positive effect of the organic fertilizers in LAI in other cultivations has been recorded by other investigations [52][53][54][55].…”

Dynamics of Agronomic Characteristics and Plant Diversity in Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora Paláu) Cultivation in Greece

“…The beneficial effects of biofertilizers have been investigated in many other medicinal and aromatic plants [42,43]. Molla et al [44] mentioned an increase in plant height in Salvia officinalis when biofertilizers were applied. Moreover, Valiki and Ghanbari [45] stated that biofertilization in Rosemary cultivation increased the height of plants.…”

“…Martinos et al [47] mentioned that the leaf area index increased when 100 kg ha −1 of a biofertilizer was applied compared to 0 and 50 kg ha −1 in A. citrodora cultivation in experiments which were conducted in Aghialos in Central Greece. Molla et al [44] measured the LAI in Salvia officinalis cultivation, and the results showed that the highest dose of biofertilizer resulted in the highest value of LAI.…”