The current experiment was established to assess the response of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) growth, herb yield and volatile oil production to humic acid, seaweed extract and their interactions. This experiment was done at Misurata, Libya.The tallest plants and more branch number were achieved when sage plants treated with 24 ml/L of humic acid as soil drench and 200 ppm of seaweed extract as foliar application also gave the best values for plant growth and herb yield per plant and per hectare. Increasing humic acid or seaweed extract rates gradually increased fresh and dry herb yield per plant. The highest volatile oil yield per plant and per hectare was obtained with the combination treatment of 24 ml/L of humic acid and 200 ppm of seaweed extract compared to the other combination treatments. In general, it could recommend that this treatment, produce a uniform response of sage growth and herb yield and enhancing volatile oil production under sandy soil conditions. According to the essential oil compounds, the highest values of 1,8-cineole, linalool, alpha-thujone, beta-thujone, camphor and borneol were obtained when the plants were treated with a high rate of humic acid and seaweed extract compared to the other formulations under study
Improving the growth, herb yield and essential oil of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) by using humic acid and seaweed extract
Fatima A. Enwiji
( Pharmaceutical Technology Dept., Fac. of Medical Technology, Misurata, Libya )
Latifah A.A. Yarboa
( Botany Dept, Fac. of Science, Zawiya Univ. Zawiya. Libya )
Aisha I. Abudabbus
( Medical Laboratories Dept, Faculty of Medical of technology, Misurata, Libya )
Essam A. Hassan
( Horticulture Dept., Fac. Agric., Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt Medical Laboratories Department )