Foliar application effects of salicylic acid and jasmonic acid on the essential oil composition of Salvia officinalis

Abstract

Abstract Aim In this research, the effects of two elicitors [jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA)] on the accumulation of essential oils in the seed cultures of Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) were studied. Materials and methods This research was conducted at the research field of Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord branch located at 50°56/E longitude, 32°18/N latitude during 2015 and 2016. The study area was classified as semi cold with an average temperature of 11.5°C and semi-arid with 329.9 mm of average rainfall. Seeds of sage were planted under field conditions. The following treatments were applied after the plants had four leaves: water, acetone, JA (0.1051, 0.2102, 0.4204, 0.8408 g/L), SA (0.0138, 0.138, 0.276, 0.552 g/L) and control. Results Twenty-seven essential oils were obtained and the most notable were: α-pinene, limonene, β-pinene, camphor, thymol, camphene, thujone-trans, thujone-cis, 1,8-cineole, borneol, borneol acetate, carvacrol, α-humulene, caryophyllene. JA was more effective in stimulating the accumulation of α-pinene, limonene, β-pinene, camphor, thymol, camphene, thujone-trans, thujone-cis, 1,8-cineole, borneol, borneol acetate, carvacrol, α-humulene and caryophyllene. Conclusion JA and SA had increasing effects on essential oils. The best treatments were found to be JA 0.1051 g/L, JA 0.2102 g/L and SA 0.138 g/L.