Exploring the Potential of Salvia × accidentalis nothosubsp. albaladejitoi: A Natural Hybrid Sage with Improved Agronomic Performance and Bioactive Extractive Potential

In Europe, Salvia officinalis L. is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Salvia, valued for its medicinal properties and essential oil production. However, in Spain, the predominant wild species is S. lavandulifolia Vahl., which exhibits notable morphological diversity. Cultivating these species presents specific challenges: S. lavandulifolia typically displays a creeping habit that hinders mechanical harvesting, while S. officinalis contains neurotoxic thujones in its essential oil, raising safety concerns. Therefore, developing new sage cultivars that combine improved agronomic performance, easier harvesting, and a safe, high-quality essential oil composition is of great practical interest for the sustainable production of sage. This study investigates the recently described natural hybrid Salvia × accidentalis nothosubsp. albaladejitoi (S. lavandulifolia subsp. lavandulifolia × S. officinalis) through a comprehensive multiparametric evaluation, including morphological, phenological, and biochemical analyses. The hybrid exhibited greater biomass, likely influenced by S. officinalis, which could facilitate mechanical harvesting. The chemical profile (GC and HPLC) revealed intermediate compositions of the essential oil and extract, characterized by lower concentrations of thujone and camphor and higher levels of bioactive pinenes. Its balanced phenolic profile and enhanced antioxidant capacity also suggest potential functional applications. Overall, S. × accidentalis nothosubsp. albaladejitoi demonstrates a promising combination of agronomic and biochemical traits, supporting its potential as a new cultivar for the sustainable cultivation of sage and the production of high-quality, safe and functionally valuable sage-derived products.