Assessment of Production and Qualitative Characteristics of Different Populations of Salvia sclarea L. Found in Sicily (Italy)

Salvia sclarea L. is an important industrial crop, valued for its herbal-aromatic properties and high quality essential oils, that used in food, pharmaceuticals cosmetics. In this study, carried out from 2009 to 2010, the morphological production characteristics oil content composition of three Sicilian populations were studied. particular, oils extracted primary secondary inflorescences using steam distillation was assessed. Morphological, qualitative data subjected analysis variance cluster analysis. Regarding only most prevalent compounds taken into consideration study. The linalyl acetate/linalool chemotypes. Highly significant variations found effective local population inflorescence type principal components. be accumulation sites favoured by monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes sclareol. Populations “S. Stefano Quisquina” “Alcara Li Fusi” performed best on a level, whereas “Prizzi”and terms quality. Population produced levels Biotype selection within should based both morphological, analyses.