Growth Compatibility and Medicinal Potential of Four Salvia Species in Semnan Climatic Conditions

Abstract

<em>Salvia </em>is a medicinal plant native to Iran with pharmaceutical and healthcare importance. We aimed to assess the compatibility of four <em>Salvia </em>species (<em>officinalis</em>, <em>sclarea</em>, <em>nemorosa</em> and <em>limbata</em>) in Semnan, Iran climatic conditions. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The plantlets were planted in the main field and evaluated in early, mid and late-growth seasons. The studied characteristics included plant height, leaf and flowering traits. The active ingredients of the plant were obtained in various phenological stages and measured by GC-MS. Results showed that the maximum and minimum plant height and number of leaves were observed in <em>officinalis</em> and <em>limbata</em> species, respectively. Maximum leaf length and diameter were observed in <em>sclarea</em> and <em>nemorosa</em> species, respectively. The leaf growth process was increased with the development of growth season, such that maximum leaf length and diameter were obtained in the post-flowering conditions. Depending on the species, <em>Salvia </em>flowers are formed in different growth years, such that in the four species studied in this research, <em>sclarea</em> and <em>officinalis</em> started flowering from the first and second years, respectively. According to the comparison of flowering traits measured in these two species, the number of florets, height of main flowering spikes, height of lateral flowering spikes, and height of the post-flowering plant were higher in <em>sclarea</em> than <em>officinalis</em>. However, the number of lateral flowering spikes was higher in <em>officinalis</em>. Moreover, the number of active ingredients was higher in <em>officinalis</em> than other species. Conclusively, <em>sclarea</em> was the best species in growth indices and <em>officinalis</em> species had highest active ingredients yield.