Salvia officinalis L. (commonly known as sage, kitchen sage, garden sage, culinary sage, or common sage) belongs to the family Lamiaceae. This Mediterranean plant is cultivated globally for its culinary and medicinal applications, making it one of the most prominent pharmaceutical herb (Khare et al., 2020). It is used as a native styptic, diuretic, antiseptic, tonic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, menstruation promoter, and for spasmodic pain relief (Amer et al., 2019). The leaves are highly aromatic, and their essential oil contains more than 49 aromatic constituents, which can be useful as natural agents in cosmetics, food preservation, and pharmaceutical products (Prakash et al., 2015). Factors such as habitat, plant organ and age, genetic systems, stage of harvest (Maksimović et al., 2007), and soil conditions (Esetlili et al., 2016) strongly affect the sage essential oil percentage and chemical composition.

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are essential macronutrients, frequently used in fertilization due to their critical roles in plant cell metabolism, enzymatic activity, and various physiological, chemical, and biochemical processes (Hawkesford et al., 2012). However, excessive use of chemical fertilizers can degrade soil quality, eutrophicate water bodies, and pollute air and groundwater (Congreves and Van Eerd, 2015). Furthermore, the overuse of chemical fertilizers can result in inefficient nutrient utilization and habitat disruption, posing significant challenges to sustainable agriculture. In several regions worldwide, soils have become non-responsive to NPK fertilizers, due to the decreased application of trace elements (Vanlauwe et al., 2010; Jones et al., 2013). The reduced nutrient use efficiency and environmental concerns associated with chemical fertilizer application remain significant challenges, hindering the achievement of sustainable agriculture. The use of nano-elements has been shown to enhance fertilizer efficiency (Lu et al., 2016). Zn in particular interacts with several soil elements, notably nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) (Loneragan and Webb, 1993). A deficiency of Zn in the soil is often linked to higher levels of available phosphorus (Takkar, 1993).

Furthermore, crops typically absorb less than half of the applied fertilizer (Chen and Wei, 2018), with the remaining amount either becoming fixed in the soil or contributing to water contamination (Liu and Lal, 2015). Specifically, N, P, and K added to the soil are lost at rates of 40-70%, 80-90%, and 50-90%, respectively (Solanki et al., 2015; Chen and Wei, 2018; Feregrino-Perez et al., 2018).

Therefore, a balanced application of macro and micronutrients is necessary. Consequently, new agricultural approaches advocate for the use of safe, ecologically acceptable products, with diverse applications. These techniques aim to enhance plant development, while mitigating environmental contamination caused by the excessive use of chemical fertilizers. The utilization of nanoparticles (NPs) derived from elements such as zinc and silicon, along with natural extracts like date palm pollen extract, represent a promising alternative to chemical fertilizers. These substitutes are both environmentally safe and friendly, offering a sustainable approach to improving agricultural productivity. Using nanotechnology to create new fertilizers is a promising approach to boost global horticultural production in a sustainable manner. This technology addresses the growing food demands of an increasing population, while promoting sustainability in the face of changing climatic conditions (Raliya et al., 2017; Feregrino-Perez et al., 2018). The application of nanoparticles (NPs) as fertilizers significantly enhances plant growth and development, while reducing the excessive use of chemical fertilizers (Acharya et al., 2020). However, numerous studies have shown that different plant species can respond variably to NPs, with effects that can be either beneficial or detrimental, depending on the nanoparticle size and dosage (El-Badri et al., 2021; Rai-Kalal and Jajoo, 2021). Nanoparticles, which range in size from 1–100 nm, offer multiple benefits, including improved plant growth, nutrition, and production (Cele, 2020). Moreover, nanotechnology has diverse applications across all stages of horticultural production, including storability, processing, packaging, and transportation. Therefore, the horticultural and food industries stand to benefit significantly from the application of nanotechnology (Swarnapriya and Vaibhao Ramesh, 2020). The interaction between nano-elements and traditional fertilizers is attributed to the high reactivity of nano-elements, which enhances the absorption of nutrients and essential materials by plants (Prasad et al., 2017). The efficiency of nanomaterials in nutrient uptake, distribution, and accumulation within plants is significantly influenced by intrinsic factors, such as particle size and surface coatings, as well as extrinsic factors, including organic matter content, soil pH, and texture. Additionally, the exposure route plays a critical role in this process (El-Ramady et al., 2018; Ma et al., 2018).

Recent reports have highlighted the effectiveness of zinc oxide nanoparticles in encouraging the development of plant species (Adrees et al., 2021; Faizan et al., 2021). Factors like pH, soil physicochemical traits, and tolerance percentage of the plant species/variety can affect the soil’s zinc availability and its impact on the crops (García-Gómez et al., 2018).Several researches indicate that foliar spray application with Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) is the most effective means of addressing defective microelements or the lack of them in plants (Rizwan et al., 2019; Adrees et al., 2021). During foliar spraying, plants readily and directly absorb NPs rather than depending on or utilizing the mineral fertilizers in the soil (Subramanian et al., 2015; Kah et al., 2018). Zn plays a crucial role in plants, serving as an essential component of various enzymes and acting as a key regulatory cofactor in processes such as protein synthesis, auxin production, cell division, photosynthesis, and sexual fertilization. Additionally, Zn is important for maintaining the structure and function of cell membranes (Marschner, 1995). Conversely, zinc deficiency can lead to a decline in cell growth and proliferation, negatively affecting photosynthesis, electron transport, photophosphorylation, and the leakage of electrolytes from the roots of plants (Kabata-Pendias, 2000; Auld, 2001; Genc et al., 2006). An understanding of the safety of crops and risk to the environment with application of nano zinc is still limited (Zhang et al., 2024), although, they added that there are no environmental risks from the application of ZnONPs in agriculture.

In recent times, silicon (Si) nanoparticles (NPs) have been utilized as an essential element in agricultural, mostly in arid environments, to bind other nutrients and hold onto water, thus boosting cell vigor (Sommer et al., 2006). It has been seen that utilizing Si enhances root system development, similar to the effect that a high dose of nitrogen has, resulting in improved plant chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, and quality of the product (Kah et al., 2018), thus, alleviating the adverse consequences of illnesses and abiotic pressures on plants (Farouk and Omar, 2020; Khator and Shekhawat, 2020). The electron transfer rate, stomatal conductance, and photochemical processes are all positively affected by silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) (Ahanger et al., 2020). Silicon reduces the transpiration rate due to the thicker cuticle layer in silicon-treated plants (Rahmawati and Wulandari, 2024). Moreover, because safranal biosynthesis originates from zeaxan, the availability of Si influences the synthesis of carotenoids and the appropriate operation of chloroplasts. Silicon affects safranal biosynthesis due to its role as an intermediate in the carotenoid cycle (Pitsikas, 2016). Also, SiO₂ NPs have distinctive characters like bioactivity, stability, and customizable porosity, therefore, SiO₂ NPs are applied strongly in technological domains variety. However, there is no evidence to suggest that silica, the main component of Si NPs, is ecotoxic to microorganisms, fish, birds, invertebrates, and plants.

Pollen from mal tress of date palms (Phoenix dactylifera; Palmaceae) is widely acknowledged as being among the most effective and is utilized more often throughout the Middle East, particularly in Egypt. The various constituents present in date palm pollen, including the enzymes that are estimated by electrophoresis (Al-Helal, 1992), proteins, saponins, strolls, triterpenes, vitamins A, C, and E, macro- and micro-nutrients like N, Zn, B, Mo, Se, Fe, Mn, as well as Cu, glycosides, and carbohydrates, have several amino acids, and thirteen fatty acids (e.g., palmitic acid 34.45%), also phenylethane (8.75%), antioxidants, essential oils, flavonoids and phenols, in addition to several steroids, like, brassinosteroid (Mahran et al., 1985; Hassan, 2011; Basuny et al., 2013). Consequently, the utilization of date palm pollen significantly affects plant growth and secondary metabolism positively.

Currently, the available data on the combined effects of NPK, DPE, and NPs of ZnO and SiO2, evaluated in terms of vegetative development, EO productivity, and chemical composition, are limited. Thus, the goal of this field experiment is to assess how NPK fertilizers, ZnO and SiO2 NPs, and date palm pollen extract, affect the growth, development, essential oil productivity, and chemical and biological composition of Salvia officinalis. The study also seeks to determine a safe and affordable substitute fertilizer source that can partially substitute chemical fertilizers (NPK) to reduce pollution in the environment and guarantee the production of safe agricultural products.

The study was conducted in an open field at the Experimental Farm of the Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, (Saba Basha), Alexandria University. The Experimental Farm was at Abees village, which is located in West Alexandra Governorate, Egypt, with an elevation of 2 m abovemean sea level, temperature through the experimental period of each season ranged from 25°C–37°C, and relative humidity was 55%–70%. This experiment took place during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Climatic conditions (such as temperature, relative humidity, photoperiod, and light intensity) and soil conditions (including pH and physical and chemical properties) influence the physico-chemical properties of nanoparticles. Consequently, the study was conducted in an open field to account for these variables.

Our investigation tested the potential of combining NPs of ZnO and SiO_2, and DPE with 75%, 50%, and 25% NPK RD, as a means of reducing the risk associated with traditional fertilizers. The study revealed a positive effect on the reduction of NPK application through the use of ZnO NPs, SiO₂ NPs, and DPE. This observation suggested that a balance could be achieved between 75%, 50%, and 25% NPK RD and either DPE or NPs of the used elements, leading to an increase in vegetative traits. Noreen et al. (2018) revealed that Zn has an important function in plant growth, being a principal component or a principal co-factor of several proteins, as well as enzymes. Nano zinc has a vital role in various processes in cells, for eample, in physiological, chemical, as well as biochemical activities (Todeschini et al., 2011; Marschner, 2012). Micronutrients such as Zn and Si have been found to provide several benefits under various crop conditions, including enhancing the N uptake and using efficiency and increasing production of crop biomass over the NPK levels (Angle et al., 2017). Zn NPs play a crucial role in various anatomical and physiological processes in plants (Agarwal et al., 2017). ZnO is essential for the activity of many enzymes, including dehydrogenases and superoxide dismutase (Narendhran et al., 2016). ZnO NPs are utilized as chemical absorbents, antibacterial agents, catalysts, and polymer additives due to their low toxicity, large specific surface area, high pore volume, long lifespan, and photodegradability (Abbasi Khalaki et al., 2021). Thus, zinc is vital for chlorophyll and biomass production, pollen function, RNA metabolism, and DNA formation (Pandey et al., 2006; Cakmak, 2008).

The used levels of ZnO NPs and SiO₂ NPs did not exhibit any evidence of toxicity on the sage plant. Previous researches on other plant species including Alyssum desertorum, Borago officinalis, Calendula officinalis, and Thymus vulgaris (Yadegari, 2017), documented that Zn and Fe had improving impacts on the growth parameters of such plants. ZnO NPs increased chlorophyll pigments in Borago officinalis (Mohammadi et al., 2018). Likewise, on Origanum majorana El-Khateeb et al. (2020), on rosemary Hassanpouraghdam et al. (2020), and on Mentha piperita Lafmejani et al. (2021). They found that spraying of nano zinc singly or together with other elements enhanced the vegetative characteristics of such plants. They added that the effect of nano zinc was related to the level, kinds of plants, and utilization time (plant age). It has been reported that 6 g/L Zn NPs gave the maximum fresh and dry weights of sweet basil shoots in relation to 0, 2, and 4 mg/L Zn NPs or 2, 4, and 6 mg/L of either iron NPs or potassium NPs (Danaee and Abdossi, 2021). According to Khan et al. (2023), ZnO at 10 mg/L induced more biomas and chlorophyll content of Echinops macrochaetus than the untreated plants. Additionally, El-Mahrouk et al. (2024) found that 2g/L nano ZnO +20g/L date pollen extract, combined with half dose of the recommended NPK fertilizer was the most positive and effective treatment for the vegetative traits of sweet basil. Nano zinc at 10–800 mg/kg soil improved the quality of potato tubers (Zhang et al., 2024). The beneficial impact of nano SiO₂ on plant metabolism leads to improved sage growth efficiency. Silicon nanoparticles possess physiological characteristics that enable them to affect a plant’s metabolic processes (Rastogi et al., 2019). SiO₂ NPs are capable of transferring elements and DNA into plant tissues (Torney et al., 2007). Additionally, nano-silica enhances germination rates, radicle height, and plant dry weight (Azimi et al., 2014). SiO₂ NPs also improve nutrient availability in maize (Suriyaprabha et al., 2012).

Additionally, silicon spraying affected the relative chlorophyll content of orchids (Mantovani et al., 2018). The development of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings was stimulated with use of 10 mg/L SiO₂ NPs and the chlorophyll level was increased to the maximum rate of 500 mg/L (Azhar et al., 2021). The spraying of silicon or nitric oxide, especially a combination of them, boosted leaf chlorophyll, which led to an improvment in photosynthesis, and in turn accounted for the weight of shoots of the sage plant under Cu-stress (Pirooz et al., 2021). Fenugreek plants treated with 200 kg/ha NPK (20:20:20) + NPK NPs at 2 g/L (20:20:20) + 2 g/L of nano elements (B, Mo, Cu, at 0.5%, Zn and Mg at 1.5%, and Fe at 8%) + nano seaweed extract at 2 g/L resulted in maximum values of the growth characteristics, when compared to untreated plants (Al-Saidi et al., 2022). Also, SiO₂ NPs at 250, 500, and 1000 mg/L could prove the significant efficiency in seed germination and growth seedling length of Calendula officinalis and Mellisa officinalis (Bovand et al., 2023). Silicon NPs at 500 mg/kg soil improved root, shoot, length, as also the chlorophyll content of Eruca sativa (Mathur and Goswami, 2024). SiO₂ NPs at 6, 12, and 18 g/L significantly increased the number and fresh and dry weights of shallot tubers (Rahmawati and Wulandari, 2024). Notably, NPs can have varying impacts on plant growth and development, depending on factors such as plant species and the characteristics of the nanoparticles, including their nature, composition, reactivity, and dosage (Khodakovskaya et al., 2012).

Enhancing impacts of DPE foliar sprays on sage growth and development were demonstrated in our results, which align with the previously mentioned constituents of DPE. In general, many authors have documented the improving impact of DPE on the development of plant species, attributing it to the presence of auxins and cytokinins in pollen (Alférez et al., 2000; Merwad et al., 2015). Hassan (2011) found that number, length, and weights (fresh and dry) of banana shoots were increased as a result of adding 200 mg/L of water pollen extract to a tissue culture medium. Similarly, Abou-Sreea and Yassen (2016) revealed that 20 g/L DPE had the greatest impact on improving the vegetative parameters of Strelitzia reginae, compared to the control with 5-15 g/L of DPE.

Based on the previous data, there are several factors, such as, climatic conditions and environmental factors, which can affect the EO% (Russo et al., 2013). The agricultural practices such as fertilization, controlling of weeds, insects, etc., as well as temperature and flowering stage development at harvesting time can positively regulate EO content (Hassiotis et al., 2014). Seemingly a balance had occured among macro- and micro-nutrients as a consequence of adding NPK, NPs of ZnO and SiO_2, or DPE (that contains several constituents). This balance may enhance various physiological, chemical, and biochemical processes or enzymatic activities in plant cells, including secondary metabolism, leading to increased EO synthesis. The concentrations of Ca⁺⁺ and K⁺ strongly affect the EO yield (Yavari et al., 2010). According to Alhasan (2020), there is a non-linear relationship between the NPK rate and basil EO (%, v/w). Zinc plays a role in carbohydrate synthesis, protein metabolism, and auxin regulation, which in turn affects the EO content (Broadley et al., 2007). Furthermore, the positive effect of nano Zn on EO productivity, individually or in combination with another element, has been documented in studies on Pimpinella anisum (Pirzad and Barin, 2018), Origanum majorana (El-Khateeb et al., 2020), Brassica nigra (Zafar et al., 2020), and Mentha piperita (Lafmejani et al., 2021). Si stimulated secondary metabolism content of many species of plants (Ahanger et al., 2020; Santisree et al., 2020). Furthermore, Si is involved in EO synthesis, as demonstrated by numerous studies on basil (Farouk and Omar, 2020) and rose (Farahani et al., 2021) under drought stress and sage under Cu stress (Al-Saidi et al., 2022). Currently, there is very limited literature available on the use of DPE on medicinal and aromatic plants. However, it can be inferred that the improvement in sage EO synthesis may have been caused by the stimulative influences of various chemical and biochemical constituents of DPE on the different metabolic activities of plant cells, leading to enhanced essential oil synthesis.

It was noticed that higher percentages of monoterpene hydrocarbons, total compounds, and oxygenated hydrocarbons had resulted from usage of 75% NPK, combined with lower levels of DPE, SiO₂ NPs, and ZnO NPs, respectively; even as a higher percentage of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were observed in the plants EOthat received 50% NPKplus high levels of DPE and ZnO NPs. The synthesis of these compounds might be correlated with the concentrations of elements in the fertilization treatments used and the balance between the NPK level and DPE or concentrations of the NPs used. Although N is a necessary component of secondary metabolism, P has the necessary roles for the transport of carbohydrates and energy in leaf cells (Hawkesford et al., 2012). K has a role in a number of essential plant metabolic activities that enhance phloem transport, osmatic equilibrium, and photosynthesis (Hamzei et al., 2014). Additionally, NPs stimulate secondary metabolism such as terpenoid compounds (Mei et al., 2020) and promoted gene expression of secondary metabolism (Wang et al., 2021). DPE constituents have an impact on the metabolic processes, leading to elevated secondary metabolism (El-Mahrouk et al., 2024) in sweet basil. In the sage plant (Amer et al., 2019), in which NPK at 100%, 75%, and 50% alone or in combination with a biofertilizer (N-fexing bacteria and phosphate solubilizing bacteria) differently affect the total EO-identified compounds ranged from 9 to 22, comprising 83.6% to 99.9% of EO, including monterpenes (0% to13.4%), oxygenated monoterpens (83.4% to96.8%), sesquiterpenoids (0% to4.1%), oxygenated sesquiterpens (0% to0.9%), and oxygenated diterpens (0% to0.8%), and the highest α–thujone of 56.2% was observed with 100% NPK combined with biofertilizer, while 75% NPK with biofertilizer showed the highest percetntage of B-thujone (55.8%) and camphor (29.2%). Also, Sharma et al. (2019) mentioned that 49 aromatic compounds were observed in sage EO and the principal constituents were 1,8- cineole, camphor, α -thujone, α -humulene, rosmaric acid, and queretin. Basil EO components (percentage and amount) were impacted by nano-chelate fertilizers (K, F, and Zn) at 2–6 mg/L (Danaee and Abdossi, 2021).

Total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity essentially have beneficial roles in plant protection. TPCs have significant roles in plants because of their ability to scavenge free radicals, which is attributed to their hydroxyl groups. Consequently, the presence of plant TPCs can be immediately linked to their AOA (Tosun et al., 2009). Moreover, it has been established that phenols possess antioxidant characteristics and are employed in the enzyme activity system and principle metabolic production (Jokar and Ronaghi, 2015). Additionally, studies on sunflower (Kiarostami et al., 2010), rosemary (Rady et al., 2011), lavender (Chrysargyris et al., 2018), and sweet basil (Ahmed et al., 2019) have demonstrated an association between TPCs and antioxidant activity that is good for plants.

According to Lingyun et al. (2016), the beneficial impacts on AOA may be attributed to important zinc factions in phenolic synthesis, maintaining membrane integrity, enhancing the scavenging molecule levels, protecting fundamental molecules, preserving groups of sulfhydryl, and preventing unnecessary interactions between iron and groups of other chemicals. Thus, zinc has an important function of maintening cell membranes under harmful conditions. Application of Zn or Zn NPs at various levels increased TPCs in various plant species like basil (Fallahi et al., 2016; Danaee and Abdossi, 2021), Chrusanthemum balsamita (Derakhshani et al., 2011), and rosemary (Hassanpouraghdam et al., 2020). Also, Zn improved the antioxidant system in wheat (Adrees et al., 2021). Similarly, ZnO NPs alone or in combination with Si NPs, positively influenced antioxidant enzyme activity in two Brassica napus species (El-Badri et al., 2021).

Furthermore, Nourozi et al. (2019) documented that SiO₂ NPs can enhance TPC and flavonoid content, rosmarinic acid, and xantomicrol, and raise AOA in the hairy roots of Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss via upregulated rosmarinic acid synthase and phenylalanine ammonia layse (PAL) expression genes. Over and above all this, the role of Si in improving TPC biosynthesis in cells of plants by enhancing the enzymatic activities conjunct in the pathway of phenylpropanoid, such as PAL, has been recognized (Ahanger et al., 2020). Moreover, treating Salvia officinalis plants with 1µM Si or 200 µM Si NPs has been shown to enhance TPCs and the DPPH scavenging activity (Al-Saidi et al., 2022). The application of 75% NPK + biofertilizer led to improvements in total phenol content and antioxidant activity compared to NPK at 50% and 100% (Amer et al., 2019). Additionally, K NPs have been found to have a positive effect on total phenol contents in basil (Danaee and Abdossi, 2021). Total phenols and antioxidant activity biosynthesis have been significantly increased in leaves of sweet basil, by applying different combinations of three-fourth or one-half of an NPK dose, with ZnO NPs, SiO₂NPs, and date pollen extract, in comparison to a full dose of NPK (El-Mahrouk et al., 2024). Silicon oxide NPs at 100–1000 mg/kg soil raised the total protein, phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidants in comparison to the control plants of Eruca sativa (Mathur and Goswami, 2024).

Our study focused on the chemical composition of sage leaves to evaluate the role of various applications on the percentages of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), zinc (Zn), silicon (Si), and total carbohydrates. The concentrations of these parameters in leaves under different treatments may depend on their levels and the balance between them in the applications. Zinc can be stored in plant leaves through ZnO nanoparticle (NP) vegetative applications, and these nanoparticles may act as an active zinc source in plant metabolism (Li et al., 2018, 2019). Zinc plays a crucial role in the synthesis of carbohydrates and proteins (Soliman et al., 2015). Additionally, Sadak and Bakry (2020) demonstrated that ZnO NPs at 20, 40, and 60 mg/L gradually and significantly increased total carbohydrates in Linum usitatissimum compared to the control. Similarly, Hassanpouraghdam et al. (2020) found that foliar spraying of Zn NPs at 3 mg/L increased rosemary Zn content, while the highest K content was observed in the control. Notably, foliar sprays of Zn and K nano-chelates at 2, 4, and 6 mg/L increased basil Zn and K contents, respectively, compared to the control (Danaee and Abdossi, 2021). A study on Pimpinella anisum by Pirzad and Barin (2018) found a significant increase in leaf Zn with 6 g/L of Fe+Zn foliar spraying, with maximum leaf N at 2 g/L Fe + 6 g/L Zn, and the highest leaf P and K contents at 4 g/L Zn. Nano Zn foliar spray at 50 and 100 mg/L increased total carbohydrates in marjoram more than in untreated plants (El-Khateeb et al., 2020). Furthermore, Zafar et al. (2020) reported a steady increase in Zn content in all parts of Brassica nigra after applying ZnO NPs at 200-600 mg/kg soil. Zinc content also increased in various tissues of potato grown in soil containing 10-800 mg ZnO NPs/kg soil (Zhang et al., 2024). Additionally, Si foliar spraying improved uptake and increased Si content in Phalaenopsis and Dendrobium orchids (Mantovani et al., 2018).

There is great interest in using DPE because it contains several compounds, including macro and micro-elements, which enhance the elements in plant tissues. This was supported by Abou-Sreea and Yassen (2016) showed that 10g/L DPE foliar application stimulated the uptake and concentrations of N, P, K and total carbohydrates in Strelitzia reginae relative to control. Amer et al. (2019) treated sage with a 75% NPK dose plus Azotobacter chroococcum, Bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum, and B. cereus resulting in the maximum carbohydrate value compared to the control, and 50 and 100% NPK alone or together with biofertilizer. Thus, the utilization of macronutrients such as N, P, K, Mg, S, and Ca, in combination with NPs, allows for precise nutrient delivery to plants while reducing the bulk requirements and associated costs (Ditta and Arshad, 2016; Chhipa, 2017).

The current research suggests the positive benefits of spraying NPs of ZnO and SiO₂ and natural extracts, such as DPE. These can be used as partial substitutes of traditional NPK fertilizers. Whereas, ZnO NPs, SiO₂ NPs, and DPE at various levels, combined singly or together with 75%, 50%, and 25% NPK RD have proved to be effective in enhancing the growth traits (plant height, chlorophyl index, and aerial fresh and dry weights/plant), EO productivity (EO% and yield, and chemical composition of EO), biochemical composition (TPCs and AOA) and leaf chemical composition (N, P, K, Zn, Si, and total carbohydrates percentages)of the sage (Salvia officinalis) plant, in relation to 100% NPK RD, with some exceptions. The used treatments have varied impacts on the studied traits, with significant differences among themselves in most cases. Fifty-eight compounds which were distributed among the fertilization treatments were identified and ranged from 11 to 32. Also, the fertilization treatments had different effects on the EO composition (monoterpene hydrocarbons, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated hydrocarbons, and their constituents). Consequently, the application of nanoparticles of various elements and DPE could be considered, to reduce the excessive utilization of conventional fertilizers, with the aim of producing safe medicinal and aromatic products. A future study on sage will be regarding the effects of NPs of some nutrients and natural extracts on sage production, under different environmental conditions.