Effects of ecological factors on phenolic compounds in Salvia multicaulis Vahl (Lamiaceae)

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the impact of certain climatic factors and soil elements on principal phenolic compounds in Salvia multicaulis (S. multicaulis). For this purpose, the association between the environmental factors and phenolic compounds in the samples was analysed consecutively using the hybrid redundancy analysis (hRDA), correlation, and path analyses. Based on hRDA, the climatic factors were the major environmental factors influencing total phenolics (YTPhen) and total flavonoids (YTFlav) contents, but phenolic acids were affected by both climatic factors and the soil elements. In path analysis, the average April–May daily minimum temperature (XAp-MaMinT) negatively affected YTPhen (path coefficient of −0.524). The average April–May daily relative humidity (XAp-MaRH) was the key climatic factor promoting (0.609) YTFlav. April–May cumulative precipitation (XAp-MaPr) and the soil sodium content (XNa) were the determinant factors negatively affecting (−0.405 and −0.388, respectively) rosmarinic acid content (YRosA). XAp-MaRH and the soil pH (XpH) were the most effective factors influencing (0.465 and −0.498, respectively) caffeic acid content (YCafA). The soil magnesium (XMg) was the only environmental factor reducing (−0.483) the chlorogenic acid content (YChlA). These findings could aid sit specific exploration of the plants with a high yield of specific phytochemicals demanded by the food and pharmaceutical industries.