Sage response to foliar spraying with some natural extracts under two levels of chemical fertilization

The aim of this study was to know the effect of some safe natural extracts, i.e. Hibiscus extract (HE) at 10 and 20 g/L, licorice extract (LE) at 10 and 20 g/L and Aloe extract (AE) at 50 and 100 ml/L, under two levels (70 and 100%) of recommended fertilization level (N, P and K), which lead to reduced use of chemical fertilizers and the production of a safe product of sage (Salvia officinalis, L.). The vegetative growth; plant height (cm), number of main branches/plant, plant fresh and dry weight (g/plant), chlorophyll contents (SPAD, values), fresh herb yield (t/fed.), oil%, and volatile oil composition (using, GC) during study were investigated. The results showed that all natural extract; HE, LE and AE under (70, and 100%) levels of N, P, K, fertilizer achieved the highest vegetative growth, oil% and main compounds of volatile oil. Moreover, natural extracts; AE 100 ml/L, LE and HE at 20g/L respectively, recorded higher values for vegetative growth, oil content and major compounds of sage volatile oil and yield (t/fed.) during this study than other treatments. From the above, we recommend spraying with natural extracts; AE 100 ml/L or LE 20 g/L or HE 20 g/L two spray/cut to obtain high quality and productivity of sage under (70%) level of N, P, and K fertilizer, which lead to reduced use of chemical fertilizers and the production of a safe product.