Effects of direct selection on productive traits of sage (Salvia officinalis L.)

Abstract

A great variability and diversity of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) determine its utility use. Due to its complex chemical composition, sage can be used as a medicinal, scent, melliferous, spice plant and as a natural antioxidant. A cultivated sage population, originating from an autochthonous material from natural habitats, was used as a breeding material. Studies encompassed 60 clones selected from an initial population, while the best 12 were presented in this paper. The trials were carried out in 2005 and 2006. Means, variance, coefficient of variation and selection gain for plant height (cm), herb yield (g), leaf yield (g) and essential oil content (%) were analyzed. The selection gain was evaluated at the selection intensity of 5 and 10%. Clones 20, 22 and 28 out of 60 clones had significantly higher means for observed traits. High values of variance and coefficients of variations for herb and leaf yields point out to the existence of variability, which is an essential condition for the beginning of selection. The application of direct selection with the use of vegetative multiplication resulted in a high selection gain for herb and leaf yields and in a low gain for the essential oil content. The selection gain was greater at the selection intensity of 5% than of 10%. It can be stated that herb and leaf yields can have a greater effect on essential oil yield per area unit than its percentage participation. The selection gain varied over years and traits.

Ispitivanjima je obuhvaćeno 60 klonova odabranih iz početne populacije, dok je u radu prikazano 12 najboljih. Ogledi su izvedeni tokom 2005. i 2006. Od 60 klonova, klonovi 20, 22 i 28 su imali značajno više srednje vrednosti za ispitivana svojstva. Visoke vrednosti varijanse i koeficijenata varijacije za prinos herbe i lišća ukazuju na postojanje varijabilnosti koja je osnovni uslov za početak selekcije. Primenom metoda direktne selekcije uz korišćenje vegetativnog razmnožavanja ostvarena je visoka selekciona dobit za prinos herbe i lista, a niska za sadržaj etarskog ulja. Pri intenzitetu selekcije od 5% ostvarena je veća selekciona dobit u odnosu na intenzitet od 10%.