Water deficit effects on Salvia officinalis fatty acids and essential oils composition

The effects of water deficit on vegetative growth, fatty acids and essential oil yield and composition of Salvia officinalis aerial parts were investigated. Plants were treated with different levels of water deficit (C, MWD and SWD). Results showed important reductions of the different growth parameters. Drought decreased significantly the foliar fatty acid content and the double bond index (DBI) degree. This later was provoked mainly by a strong reduction of linolenic acid proportion and the disappearance of palmitoleic acid. Besides, moderate deficit increased the essential oil yield (expressed as g/100 g on the basis of dry weight) and the main essential oil constituents were camphor, α-thujone and 1.8-cineole which showed an increasing under moderate water deficit.