In order to study the effects of macronutrient fertilizers on physiological, qualitative and quantitative attributes of Salvia leriifolia Benth. (Salvia), an experiment was conducted, using a randomized complete block design with three replications at a research farm owned by the Islamic Azad University, Gonabad Branch during 2013–2015. Experimental factors included nitrogen (N) fertilizer in three levels (zero, 100 and 200 kg.ha-1 based on pure N), phosphorus (P) in three levels (zero, 50 and 100 kg.ha-1 based on P2O5) and potassium (K) fertilizer in two levels (zero and 50 kg.ha-1 based on K2O). Results showed that three-way interactions of N, P and K application were significant on all variables examined. A marked decline in chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, stomatal diameter, biological yield, and seed characteristics was observed under low doses of fertilizers. However, the highest stomatal number (167.88 mm-2 of leaf blade) and essential oil content was observed under no application of NPK fertilizer. The highest and the lowest seed oil content (38.68 and 17.61%, respectively) was recorded in the treatment of 100 kg.ha-1 N, 100 kg.ha-1 P, and 50 kg.ha-1 K, and control treatment (no fertilizer), respectively. Based on the results recorded, although salvia was a wild plant, its response to fertilizer application was similar to any other domesticated plant. The best fertilizer application levels were found to be 200 kg.ha-1 of N, 100 kg.ha-1 P, and 50 kg.ha-1 K fertilizer, at which all growth and physiological attributes expressed maximally. Of course, more investigation is needed regarding nutritional demands of salvia in different soils and climates.

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