The impact of Myconate® HB (formononetin) on the growth, chemical composition and content of active compounds in herbal sage Salvia officinalis L. and Valeriana officinalis L.

Abstract

The research aimed to demonstrate the effect of Myconate® HB (formononetin) on the growth, weight, nutrients and active compounds in Valeriana officinalis and Salvia officinalis. The research was carried out in the experimental field on brown soil. A univariate experiment was established using the randomized block design in four replications. The research showed that the use of Myconate® (Agrii Polska Sp. z o.o.) on V. officinalis seedlings positively affected the weight of the aerial parts and roots, as well as the content of dry matter and fiber. However, the content of total protein and nitrogen-free extracts was unfavourable. In the case of S. officinalis, the use of Myconate® also had a positive impact on the weight of the aboveground parts and roots and on the content of total protein and crude ash in the herb, while it negatively influenced the contents of dry matter, fiber and nitrogen-free extracts. Myconate®, however, did not affect the length of the phenological stages in the experimental plants. The percentage content of essential oils increased during the vegetation period in both species in all the tested plots, while their statistically higher contents were observed from the full tillering stage in the plots sprayed with Myconate®