Biological characteristics of potentially valuable species of the genus Salvia L. in the Moscow region

Relevance. Expanding the raw material base of medicinal plants will allow for the successful use of plant materials as new or additional sources of raw materials for herbal preparations. The aim of the study was to investigate the phenological and biomorphological characteristics of three Salvia species in cultivation.
Materials and Methods. The study subjects were Salvia L. species from the Eurasian flora. The research was conducted in an agrocenosis from 2023 to 2025. Phenological and biometric observations were conducted, along with measurements of the yield of aboveground plant parts and seed (erem) productivity. Essential oil content in the leaves was determined by hydrodistillation of air-dried raw materials. Total flavonoids expressed as rutin were determined spectrophotometrically by measuring the optical density of the products of the flavonoid complexation reaction with aluminum chloride. A modified Folin-Ciocalteu method was used to determine total polyphenols.
Results. Plants of the three studied sage species are characterized by rapid vegetative growth, prolonged budding (10-15 days), and prolonged, abundant flowering. Salvia stepposa is distinguished from the other studied species by its shorter flowering period (25-34 days). The structural features of sage inflorescences result in prolonged flowering and uneven fruit ripening. In the first year of life, the average air-dried yield of Salvia forskalii and Salvia stepposa plants grown from seedlings was 251.9 g/m² and 173.6 g/m², respectively (primarily due to the formation of generative shoots). Flavonoid content in extracts from the three sage species ranged from 0.89% to 1.94%, depending on the vegetation phase. Total phenolic compound content in the three Salvia species ranged from 4.14% to 9.71%, with maximum values observed in extracts from S. tesquicola during the full flowering phase. In agrocenosis, S. forskahlei, S. stepposa, and S. tesquicola grown from seedlings undergo a full seasonal development cycle, regularly bear fruit, indicating their successful adaptation. Given the good yield dynamics, resistance to pests and diseases, and significant content of biologically active compounds in S. forskahlei and S. tesquicola in the Moscow region's agrocenosis, these species can be considered promising sources of medicinal plants. 

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