Research article

Effect of Three Different Growth Media on Yield and oil constituents of Sage (Salvia officinalis) under Protected Agriculture Conditions

¹Kholod F Abou Seedo, ²Ahmed A Taha and *³Ahmed A Salih

¹Public authority of Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources, Kuwait

²Associate professor of chemistry, University of Bahrain, Manama, Bahrain

³Professor soil science, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain

*Corresponding Author E-mail: ahmedalis@agu.edu.bh; Fax: (+973) 17239552, Tel: (+973) 17239534

Accepted 28 October 2014

Abstract

Aromatic plants native to the Mediterranean region and Arabian peninsula are used as cures and in perfumery since times immemorial. Of these aromatic herbs, common sage (Salvia officinalis), is known to be bestowed with a multitude of medicinal properties in its leaves or extracted essential oil. However, the production of aromatic plants in the Arabian Gulf countries is limited by the poor soil resources, scarce and saline water and the harsh desert environment. This study aimed to investigate the production potential and oil quantity and quality of sage plant grown on different growth media under greenhouse conditions. Three growth media were used; agricultural soil, compost and hydroponic system where tuff (inert volcanic material) was used as substrate. The result indicated that the high salinity of the agricultural soil limited growth and oil yield in sage. Plants shoot fresh and dry weights, moisture content, and number of leaves and branches were generally lower in sage grown in sand compared with those grown in hydroponic and compost. Chemical constituents of sage shoot was higher in plants grown in hydroponic and compost compared to sand by approximately 50, 64, and 7% for N, P, and K content, respectively, while Na content was higher in sand grown plants by 16% over those in the other growth media. Essential oil chemical constituents concentrations did not change significantly with growth media. This study demonstrated the great potential of commercial production of sage in Arabian Gulf region under greenhouse conditions without compromising the oil quality or quantity.

Keywords: essential oils, sage, hydroponic production, Arabian Gulf.