Geographical location is a key component to effective breeding of clary sage (Salvia sclarea) for essential oil composition
Wild populations of Croatian clary sage (Salvia sclarea L. were examined for variability to determine cultivation suitability in Croatia and Israel for breeding purposes. Phenotypic variability (coefficient of variation; was recorded for inflorescence weight (39.6% inflorescence yield (52.8% and essential oil yield (67.6% when grown in Croatia. Associations were identified between inflorescence yield and essential oil yield (r 0.9; P 0.0001) inflorescence weight and inflorescence yield (r 0.8; P 0.0001) and inflorescence weight and inflorescence length (r 0.6; P 0.0056) suggesting that populations with elongated inflorescence are indirectly associated with higher essential oil yield. In Israel, the populations reached full bloom between the end of May and early June, corresponding on average to 397.5 days post planting. Linalyl acetate, linalool, a terpineol, sclareol, and geranyl acetate were the leading essential oil components in both Croatia and Israel. The principal compounds