Agronomic, biochemical and bioactive properties of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) affected by foliar selenium spraying

Abstract

The sage is a perennial medicinal and aromatic plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Macro-micro elements have an important place in the development of this plant. One of these elements is selenium. This study aims to examine the effect of foliar selenium (Se) application on the agronomic, biochemical, and bioactive properties of sage. The plant height (PH), fresh herb yield (FHY), dry herb yield (DHY), and dry leaf yield (DLY) as agronomic properties, and Se content in the plant (SCP), ascorbic acid content (AAC), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AA) and mineral composition (MC) as biochemical and bioactive properties were investigated in this context. The experiment was carried out in four replications over three years in 2018, 2019, and 2020. In the study, 0 (control), 100, 200, 400, and 800 g ha⁻¹ Se were applied to sage leaves. At the end of the study, it was determined that Se application was effective on the agronomic characteristics of the sage, except for the first year. The application of 100 g ha⁻¹ Se in FHY, DHY, DLY, AA, and TPC properties emerged as the recommended dose since it reached the highest values. In addition, it was evaluated that the Se application did not have a statistically significant effect on the SCP. For years with statistical significance, 400 g ha⁻¹ Se application was recommended in terms of AAC and 100 g ha⁻¹ Se application in terms of AA and TPC.

Keywords:

• Biochemical and bioactivity
• foliar selenium spraying
• herb yield
• mineral composition
• Salvia officinalis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Erciyes University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit with the project code FBA-2018-7988. We would like to thank the Erciyes University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit for their financial support. We would like to thank the Proofreading & Editing Office of the Dean for Research at Erciyes University for copyediting and proofreading service for this manuscript.