Abstract

Rosmarinus officinalis and Salvia officinalis wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum could lead to yield losses, under various conditions. This study was therefore focused on determination of yield loss caused by F. oxysporum on R. officinalis and S. officinalis plants. A greenhouse experiment was conducted at Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources (WGCFNR), Ethiopia, from 2015 to 2016. Mixed soil of animal manure, sand and clay loam (1:1:2 ratio), respectively, was autoclaved at 121°C for 2 h and sterilized soil was filled into plastic pots with three replications. Two plants were transplanted into each pot and regularly watered and maintained in the greenhouse at 26 ± 2°C and 50 to 60% relative humidity. Disease severity was recorded at weekly interval, from the first appearance of symptoms till harvest. Fresh leaf and stem weights, essential oil content and yield were recorded at the time of harvesting. Generally, fresh leaf and stem weights and essential oil content and yield of both plants from treated soil significantly increased compared to the untreated ones. Essential oil yield decreased by 53.86 and 35.36% in R. officinalis and S. officinalis, respectively compared to the treated ones.

Key words: Essential oil yield, Fusarium oxysporum, Rosemary, Sage, Yield loss