Eight genotypes of Salvia sclarea L. were assessed in three-year field trials on Bački Petrovac experimental plots by applying random block system in three replications. Basic plot area size was 10 m². Standard cultivation methods were employed. Fresh inflorescences yield and content and yield of essential oil were analyzed. Oil content was determined after Ph. Jug. IV. The obtained results were processed by the variance analysis.

Genotype dependent inflorescences yield was between 6.4 and 8.6 t/ha, oil yield between 8.7 and 13 kg/ha, and oil content between 0.68 and 0.86%. The three-year results show that the highest variability was obtained with yield, whereas the lowest with oil content. A specific response of the individual genotypes as related to a year of investigation was observed. In certain genotypes more stable traits than in the others were found. Inflorescence yield was significantly positively affected by higher precipitation while higher oil content was recorded in years with higher air temperatures and insolation.

Genetic and ecological conditions have impact upon the formation of yield and the essential oil biosynthesis (Hotin, 1968). In Salvia sclarea this influence has been surveyed in both spontaneous populations and field trials (Kazakova and Astadzhov, 1970; Atanasov and Zlatev, 1980; Mustyatse, 1988). In addition, characteristics of the individual genotypes of this species were also investigated (Savchuk, 1975; Zobenko, 1975a, b; Verzar-Petri and Then, 1983; Shlyapina and Lyubavina, 1983; Vlasova, 1983, 1986; Mehraz et al., 1988; Adamović, 1992). It is obvious, however, that the influence of cultivars and years upon yield and content of active substances of this species has been less investigated (Ilieva and Drazheva, 1981; Zambori and Nyaradi-Szabady, 1989; Adamović et al., 1994). Therefore, the aim of the paper was to establish the variability of yield and essential oil of different genotypes of clary sage in the three vegetation seasons.

In three year field trials (I, II and III year old plants) on Bački Petrovac experimental plots eight selected genotypes of Salvia sclarea L. were assessed by applying random block system in three replications. Basic plot area size was 10 m². Sowing was done in July at 50 x 20 cm.

Standard cultivation methods were employed. Fresh inflorescence yield and content and yield of essential oil were measured. Oil content was determined after Ph. Jug. IV (calculated as % of dry weight). The obtained results were processed by the variance analysis.

The three year average (Tab. 1) shows that the highest yield of both fresh inflorescence and essential oil was obtained with the genotype No. 3, whereas the smallest in genotype No. 2.

Variation coefficients of essential oil and inflorescence yield in three years point to a specific response of the individual genotypes of clary sage i.e., their variability relying upon a year of investigation (Tab. 1). The highest variations of inflorescence yield were found in genotype No.7, whereas the smallest in No.2. The highest variations of essential oil yield were observed in genotype No.5, whereas the smallest in No. 3 and 6 showing the highest stability.

The three-year average (Tab. 1) shows that the highest essential oil content was found in genotype No.1, whereas the lowest in No.5, being highly significant difference. Variation coefficients of essential oil content in three years (Tab. 1) show that the highest variation was observed in genotype No. 1, whereas evidently the lowest, i.e. the highest stability was found in genotype No.4.

Eight genotype average by years (Tab. 2) shows that the highest inflorescence and essential oil yield and their variations were recorded in II, whereas the smallest in I year. The highest essential oil content concurrent with its smallest variability was found in I year (Table 2).

In certain years, greater or smaller variation coefficients of the same trait were recorded pointing to different response of the individual genotypes to the environmental factors. In the period March-June, the highest precipitation was in II year (278 mm), whereas the smallest was in I year (156 mm). The highest mean month air temperature was in March (4.6°C), April (13.8°C), and May (19.2°C) in I year, whereas the smallest in II year (0.4, 10.7 and 15.0°C, respectively). The highest insolation (838 h) was in I year, whereas the smallest in II year (731 h).

Genotype dependent inflorescence yield was between 6.4 and 8.6 t/ha, oil yield between 8.7 and 13 kg/ha, and oil content between 0.68 and 0.86 %. Three-year results show that the highest variability was obtained with yield, whereas the lowest with oil content. A specific response of the individual genotypes as related to a year of investigation was observed. In certain genotypes more stable traits than in the others were found. Inflorescence yield was significantly positively affected by higher precipitation while higher oil content was recorded in years with higher air temperatures and insolation.

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