Clary sage

Economic importance

The essential oil of clary sage is contained in its inflorescences (0.35%). It is used in perfumery, the food industry, and winemaking.

Cultivation areas and yield

In Russia, clary sage is grown in Crimea and Krasnodar Krai. Among the former Soviet republics, it is grown in Moldova.

In 1984, the sown area throughout the USSR amounted to approximately 13,000 ha.

The yield of inflorescences reaches 3.0–4.0 t/ha.

Botanical description

Clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.) is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the mint family (Labiatae).

The root is taprooted and well developed.

The stem is branched and four-angled.

Plant height is 100–120 cm.

The leaves are opposite, large, ovate, wrinkled, with notched-toothed margins.

The inflorescence is paniculate-branched and located at the ends of the branches. The corolla of the flowers is pink, lilac, or white.

The fruit is dry and consists of four nutlets with a smooth surface. The nutlets contain a drying fatty oil.

Biological characteristics

Clary sage is considered a crop with relatively low requirements for heat and moisture.

The seeds begin to germinate at a temperature of 10–12 °C. Seedlings can withstand frosts down to −6 °C. With sufficient snow cover, it can tolerate frosts down to −30 °C.

Mature plants tolerate drought well.

It is a light-loving plant. Shading leads to poor plant growth, and the yield decreases sharply.

Fertile chernozem soils are considered optimal.

Vegetation and reproduction

In the first year of life, clary sage forms a rosette of basal leaves. In the second year, the plants form densely leafy stems, and inflorescences and fruits appear.

Crop rotation

In crop rotation, special plots are allocated for sage; these are not included in the rotation and are cultivated for 2–3 years.

The best preceding crop for spring sowings is considered to be winter cereals. When sowing at other times, it is usually placed after mid-season spring crops.

Fertilizer system

Clary sage responds well to the application of fertilizers.

The recommended application rate of manure is 20 t/ha; of complete mineral fertilizer, N₃₀P_40-60K₄₀.

Soil tillage system

When sage is placed after winter crops and in spring sowing, soil tillage includes fall and spring tillage.

Sowing

Sowing of sage can be done in spring or before winter, but in such a way that its seeds do not have time to germinate before the onset of cold weather.

A wide-row sowing method with 45 cm between rows is usually used.

According to data from the Voznesensk Experimental Station of the VNII of Essential Oil Crops, conventional row sowing with 15 cm between rows gives good results.

Seed sowing rate:

• for wide-row sowing — 7 kg/ha;
• for conventional row sowing — 12 kg/ha.

The sowing depth on cohesive soils is 2–3 cm; on loose soils, 4–5 cm.

Crop care

Care of clary sage crops consists of harrowing after emergence and, during the growing season, 3–4 inter-row cultivations.

Plant protection

To control weeds in clary sage plantings, directed herbicide treatments may be used when weeds regrow en masse:

• with Zenkor (2.1–2.2 kg/ha);
• with Lontrel (1.0–1.7 kg/ha);
• with Pyramin (2–4 kg/ha);
• with Kerb (3–5 kg/ha).

Harvesting

Harvesting of clary sage begins when the inflorescences contain at least 0.12% essential oil. To monitor the essential oil content, laboratory analyses of samples are carried out daily from the beginning of flowering.

The optimal harvesting time is considered to be the beginning of browning of the seeds of the lower fruits in the inflorescences.

Varieties

Voznesensky 24.

Krymsky Ranny.

Moldavsky 69.

S-785.

References

1. Vavilov P. P., Gritsenko V. V., Kuznetsov V. S., et al. (1986). Crop Production. Edited by Vavilov P. P. 5th ed., revised and enlarged. Moscow: Agropromizdat.
2. S_15