FEATURES OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF Salvia officinalis L. IN THE CONDITIONS OF SURKHANDARYA REGION

ABSTRACT

The topic's relevance lies in the necessity of expanding scientific data on the bioecological characteristics of essential oil plants like Salvia officinalis L., considering the agroclimatic conditions of the Surxondaryo region, to improve their efficiency. The practical significance of the research involves studying and analyzing this plant's growth and development processes, which can bring significant economic benefits to the region through its industrial-scale cultivation in various soil conditions. The research aims to study the growth and development processes of Salvia officinalis, focusing on introducing the plant to the climatic conditions of the region. The germination of Salvia officinalis seeds was carried out in laboratory conditions at temperatures of 15℃, 25℃, and 30℃. As a result, the optimal temperature for seed germination was found to be 25℃.

АННОТАЦИЯ

Актуальность темы заключается в необходимости расширения научных данных о биоэкологических характеристиках эфиромасличных растений, таких как Salvia officinalis L., с учетом агроклиматических условий Сурхандарьинской области, для повышения их эффективности. Практическая значимость исследования заключается в изучении и анализе процессов роста и развития данного растения, что может принести значительный экономический доход региону за счет его промышленного выращивания в различных почвенных условиях. Цель исследования — изучение процессов роста и развития Salvia officinalis, с акцентом на интродукцию растения в климатические условия региона. Всхожесть семян Salvia officinalis проводилась в лабораторных условиях при температурах 15℃, 25℃ и 30℃. В результате было установлено, что оптимальной температурой для всхожести семян является 25℃.

Keywords: seed, growth, germination, salvia, ontogenesis.

Ключевые слова: семя, рост, прорастание, сальвия, онтогенез.

Introduction. Medicinal Sage (Salvia officinalis) is an essential oil plant belonging to the Lamiaceae Lindl. family. It demonstrates significant potential for growth and development, being well-adapted to the agroecological conditions of the Surkhandarya region. These plants not only possess medicinal properties but also hold great economic importance. A comprehensive analysis of their properties is of strategic importance for our country.

The relevance of this study is further underscored by the Presidential Decree of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PQ-251 issued on May 20, 2022, "On Measures for the Cultivation, Processing, and Extensive Use of Medicinal Plants" [1], and the provisions outlined in Annex 7, clauses 174-179, of the Presidential Decree No. PQ-307, dated July 6, 2022. These documents highlight the projects “Establishing natural and cultivated mother plantations of essential oil medicinal plants in the Surkhandarya oasis” and “Establishing plantations of promising essential oil medicinal plants and developing technologies for extracting essential oils” [2], further emphasizing the relevance of this research.

The urgency of studying the bio-ecological characteristics of these plants in the Surkhandarya region is driven by several factors. Firstly, due to climate changes and the degradation of agricultural lands, there is a growing need to identify new and adaptable plant species. In this context, Salvia officinalis holds significant value due to its aerial biomass and the biologically active compounds found in its essential oils. As specified in the aforementioned decree, an in-depth study of the properties of medicinal plants and their scientifically-based cultivation will enable increased economic efficiency.

The natural conditions of the Surkhandarya region (climate, soil, and water resources) are favorable for the ecological cultivation of these plants. These factors highlight the relevance and necessity of this research and define its practical importance.

This research aims to fully introduce Salvia officinalis to the conditions of the Surkhandarya region.

In conducting this research, we have set several tasks for ourselves, including:

• Studying the seed biology of Salvia officinalis to determine the optimal temperature and soil composition for seed germination;
• Examining the stages of ontogenesis;
• Conducting phenological observations.

Materials and methods.  For the research, seedlings or seed samples of Salvia officinalis will be collected. The growth and development of these samples will be tested using various soil mixtures (loamy, clayey, and sandy soils), compost, or biogumus as soil components, and the experiment will be conducted under laboratory conditions using a thermostat. To study the morphological and physiological conditions of the plant, equipment such as a microscope, thermometer, lighting devices, luxmeter, and a meteoscope M. device for determining climate indicators were utilized. The method developed by T.P. Nekrasova, aimed primarily at testing the germination and viability of seeds, was used to assess seed quality, with specific examples provided [6, p.139; 8.p.112].

This method is widely used in seed selection and agricultural production. The optimal temperature and humidity levels for testing the quality of Salvia officinalis L. seeds were also monitored. Additionally, the seeds' resistance to temperature, according to Nekrasova's method, was determined [3, p. 122; 5, p.62].

Seed fertility was determined based on the guidelines provided by I.V. Vaynagiy, R.Ye. Levina, O.A. Ashurmetov, and X.K. Qarshiboev [7, p.1131].

The ontogenesis of the research object was determined according to T.A. Rabotnov, while the seasonal development was assessed using the methods of I.N. Beydeman [4, p. 95].

Results and discussion. In the Nekrasova method, the germination of seeds is tested under laboratory conditions. In this case, 100 intact Salvia officinalis seeds are selected and tested in three replicates. The seeds are placed in special plastic or glass Petri dishes, maintained under constant humidity and optimal temperature conditions (25°C). Germinated seeds are counted over a period of 7-10 days, and the germination rate is assessed at 89% (Table 1). (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Determining the seed germination of Salvia officinalis L. in laboratory conditions

Table 1.

Germination of seeds of Salvia officinalis L. in laboratory conditions

(2024.02.09. n-100. 25 ℃)

Experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions to determine the seeds' resistance to temperature. Salvia officinalis L. seeds were tested under different temperature conditions (15°C, 25°C, and 30°C). The seeds' germination was observed at each temperature condition (Tables 2 and 3).

Table 2.

Germination of seeds of Salvia officinalis L. in laboratory conditions

(2024.02.21. n-100. 15 ℃)

Table 3.

Germination of seeds of Salvia officinalis L. in laboratory conditions

(2024.03.04. n-100. 30 ℃)

It was recorded that the germination rate of seeds was 47% at 15°C, 89% at 25°C, and 78% at 30°C. The highest germination rate was observed at 25°C, indicating that this temperature is optimal for the seeds. The germination of seeds was determined over eight days under three different temperature conditions. On the first day of germination in the thermostat, the highest germination was observed at 30°C, while the lowest was at 15°C. The highest germination rate was observed on the second day, with the best result at 25°C and the lowest at 15°C (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Germination of seeds at 15, 25, and 30°C over days

The growth and development characteristics of Salvia officinalis L. were studied in the Surxondaryo region, Termiz city, divided into latent, virginial, and generative phases. In the latent phase, the seeds remain dormant. Salvia officinalis seeds can retain their germination ability for up to 8 years if optimal conditions are maintained, but the highest germination rate is observed within the first three years. After that, the germination rate begins to decline. The virginial phase includes the plant’s seedling, juvenile, immature, and mature virginial stages.

In the seedling stage, the processes from the germination of the seeds to the full opening of the cotyledon leaves and the formation of the initial stem occur. Seeds sown in the experimental plot at Termez State University in February 2022 began to germinate 7-10 days later. The color of the hypocotyls of the seedlings was initially light pink, later turning green (Figure 3).

The hypocotyls reached a length of 8.4 mm. The seed coat emerged from the soil along with the cotyledon leaves, and the seedlings consisted of green leaves and a root system. The one-day-old cotyledon leaves were 3.4 mm in length and 2.8 mm in width. The primary root reached a length of 2.5-3 cm, and lateral roots began to form. The seedling stage in the plant's life cycle lasted 8-10 days.

Figure 3. Salvia officinalis L.:

A - seeds just beginning to germinate, B - plant in the seedling stage

In the juvenile stage, the one-week-old plant reaches a height of 2.5 cm and develops its first true leaves. The primary root reaches a length of 4.5-5 cm, with 3-4 lateral roots forming. This stage covers 20-25 days of the plant’s life.

In the immature stage, the 20-day-old plant reaches a height of 9-10 cm and has developed 5 pairs of leaves. At this stage, the primary root reaches a length of 8-11 cm, and the lateral roots begin to develop. The growth of the main stem slows down in the one-month-old plant, and leaf growth accelerates. During this period, the plant's height reaches 10-12 cm.

The generative stage begins in the plant's second year, and in the second ten days of March, the plant enters the generative phase. In the second year, flower clusters form at the tips of the main stem and the first-order branches (Figure 4). The flowers of Salvia officinalis L. are bisexual, blue-violet in color, and zygomorphic in shape. The flowers are arranged in spike-like clusters at the ends of the main and lateral branches. The flower stalk is 4.0–4.5 mm long and covered with glandular hairs. The calyx is 9.02 mm long, five-toothed, and green in color, covered with glandular hairs. The calyx later turns brown and remains until the fruit ripens. The corolla is bilabiate, blue-violet in color, with the upper lip composed of two petals and the lower lip composed of three petals that curve downward.

Figure 4. Salvia officinalis L.

a) bud formation and b) flowering process

The pistil is single, with a length of 13.0–15.0 mm, the stigma is three-parted, and the ovary is superior, four-lobed, and green. The stamens are two in number, with a length of 8.0–9.0 mm, attached to the base of the corolla. The lower part of the filament is bent, while the upper part is arched and white in color, with a smooth surface. The anther is curved and crescent-shaped.

The buds of the plant are initially very small (2.0–3.0 mm). Before blooming, within 10–12 days, the buds grow up to 7.09 mm, with the upper part of the calyx opening, and the teeth of the corolla begin to appear. Initially, the petals are light purple, but when the bud fully opens, they turn blue-violet. When the buds are fully developed, the calyx length reaches 9.02 mm, and the corolla reaches 13.9 mm, at which point flowering begins. In fully opened flowers, the corolla is twice as long as the calyx, measuring 18.2 mm.

The flowering proceeds acropetally. The flowers of the plant are entomophilous, pollinated mainly by insects from the bee family. The fruit is a cenobium, consisting of a nutlet formed by the fusion of four calyx lobes.(Figure 5).

According to the research results, the budding phase of Salvia officinalis is observed in mid-March, and the flowering phase continues through April and May. The generative period lasts approximately 60–70 days.

Figure 5. Salvia officinalis L. flower parts

1. General view of the flower, 2. Calyx leaf, 3. Corolla, 4. Seed, 5. Pollen

Conclusion.

According to the results of the experiments conducted in laboratory conditions at temperatures of 15℃, 25℃, and 30℃ to determine the germination of Salvia officinalis L. seeds, it was found that 25℃ is the most optimal temperature for seed germination. In conclusion, it can be said that this plant can be easily cultivated in the soil and climate conditions of the region.

References:

1. O‘zbekiston Respublikasi Prezidentining “Dorivor o‘simliklarni madaniy holda yetishtirish va qayta ishlash hamda davolashda ulardan keng foydalanishni tashkil etish chora-tadbirlari” to‘g‘risidagi PQ-251-son qarori. Toshkent – 2022.[in Uzbek]
2. O‘zbekiston Respublikasi Prezidentining “2022 — 2026-yillarda O‘zbekiston Respublikasining innovatsion rivojlanish strategiyasini amalga oshirish bo‘yicha tashkiliy chora-tadbirlar” to‘g‘risidagi PQ-307-son qarori. Toshkent – 2022.[in Uzbek]
3. Begmatov A.M., O‘ralov B.S.// Lavandula angustifolia Mill va Salvia officinalis L. urug’larining laboratoriya sharoitida unuvchanligini aniqlash // Xorazm Ma’mun akademiyasi axborotnomasi: ilmiy jurnal. - №11/1. 2022.  B.122-125. [in Uzbek]
4. Nasriddinova M.R. seed productivity of species in the genus Salvia L. under the conditions of Karshi Oasis// QarDU xabarlari. -2022. - №2.- B. 95-97.[ in English]
5. Nasriddinova M.R. Growth and development of Rosmarinus officinalis L. under the oasis of Karshi // International Journal of Virology and Molecular Biology. – USA, 2022. – Volume 11. – №5. – P. 62-65. [in English]
6. O‘ralov B., Ravshanova U. Salvia officinalis l. ning urug‘idan va vegetativ ko‘paytirish usullari hamda morfologik ko‘rsatgichlari // O’zMU xabarlari. 2023 3/2 son. B. 139-142. [in Uzbek]
7. Qobilov S.Sh, Xoliqov M.B. “Urug‘lik materiallarning boshlang‘ich va asosiy unuvchanligini aniqlash tartibi” International scientific-practical conference actual issues of agricultural development: problems and solutions. JUNE 6- 7, 2023. B. 1131-1134  [in Uzbek]
8. To‘xtaev B.Yo, Ahmedov E.T “Dorivor o‘simliklarni o‘stirish va yetishtirish” 41-kitob, 2021 B.112  [in Uzbek]