Effect of shading and plant density on growth, yield and oil composition of clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.) in north western Himalaya

The experiments were commenced in January 2009 and repeated in 2010 at the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Palampur, India to investigate the effect of shading and plant density on plant growth, yield, volatile oil content and composition in clary sage. Four levels of shade (0, 25%, 50%, 75% shade) and three planting geometry levels (30 х 30 cm, 45 х 30 cm, 45 х 45 cm) were tested as per split plot design. Plants grown in full sunlight (control) produced significantly higher number of leaves than heavy shading (75% shade). Plant spread, root length, number of roots/plant, flower weight/plant, total biomass/plant, oil content and oil yield significantly reduced with increase in shade levels. Flower yield (q/ha) was significantly higher when the crop was planted under narrow spacing 30 х 30 cm compared with 45 х 30 cm and 45 х 45 cm spacing levels. Oil content and oil yield were not affected by different spacing levels. Linalyl acetate and sclareol were higher under 25% shade, germacrene D required 50% shade, but linalool was better in open environment