Effect of animal manure on growth, yield and essential oil of sageEffect of Animal Manure on Growth, Yield and Essential Oil of Sage (Salvia officinalis L.)

The study was performed to evaluate the animal manures effects on growth and development of sage biomass to achieve optimal essential oil yield. 

The experiment was conducted as a split plot design in time and in the form of randomized complete block with three replications in 2018 and 2019. Experimental treatments include poultry manure levels (low, medium and high: 2222, 3174, 5555 kg.ha-1, respectively), sheep manure levels (low, medium and high: 3788, 5411, 9470 kg.ha-1, respectively),, and cow manure levels (low, medium and high: 4310, 6157, 10775 kg.ha-1, respectively), chemical fertilizer, control that were compared in two cuttings. Measured traits included photosynthetic pigments, leaf area index, aerial dry weight, essential oil content and essential oil yield. 

The main effects of fertilizer and cutting on all studied traits (except carotenoids, essential oil content, respectively) were significant. Chlorophylls content, aerial dry weight and essential oil yield were significantly influenced by the fertilizer treatment × cutting interaction. In the first cutting, the highest level of chlorophylls was observed in plots receiving high level of poultry manure. In the second cutting, plots receiving high level of poultry manure had the highest aerial dry weight (2953 kg.ha-1) and this treatment had the highest essential oil yield without significant difference with chemical fertilizer treatment. 

In general, high level application of poultry manure can produce dry matter yield as well as essential oil production equivalent to chemical fertilizer treatment. Therefore, considering the optimal agronomic efficiency of poultry manure and its residual effects in the agroecosytem, it is recommended for the production of sage.