Productive, metabolic and anatomical parameters of menthol mint are influenced by light intensity

Abstract

Th e cultivation of aromatic species to obtain essential oils has great economic importance, presenting an increasing demand from different industrial sectors, especially to menthol mint (Mentha arvensis L.) essential oil, rich in menthol (70-80%). Consortium cultivation has been an important practice in agricultural systems whose land use is necessary, consequently promoting strong competition for light in reduced space. Thus, this study aimed verifying if different light intensities might promote chemical, metabolical and anatomical alterations in menthol mint. Plants were grown in greenhouse at different average of light intensities (137, 254, 406 and 543 µmol photons m -2 s -1 ). Samples were collected 43 days after germination and submitted to following analyses: Gravimetric test, photosynthetic pigments, soluble fractions, enzymatic activity, N-total, trichome density and histochemistry and chemometric test based on essential oil chemical profi le. Fresh mass gain, trichome density, essential oil content and soluble sugars were positively infl uenced by light intensity increase. On the other hand, total-N, NO 3 − -N and pigments content have decreased infl uenced by light intensity increase. In the secretion from the trichomes, phenolic substances were reported, as well as lipophilic ones in the peltate ones. The increase of oxygenated monoterpenes was favored by light intensity decrease.

Response of Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Growth and Yield to Planting Densities and Row Arrangements in Tomato-Basil Intercropping System

“…This could be due to less competition for light between basil and tomato under intercropping. In line with the present result, Souza et al (2020) also reported that basil is a poor resource (water, nutrient, space, and light) competitor when grown together with tomatoes in the open field.…”

Glandular trichome development, morphology, and maturation are influenced by plant age and genotype in high THC-containing cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) inflorescences

“…In basil plants, Werker et al ( 1993 ) correlated the gland density with essential oil content, while in hop cones, the number of glandular trichomes was positively correlated with content of alpha-acids (Srečec et al 2011b ). In menthol mint, increased light intensity positively affected trichome density (both peltate and bulbous trichomes) as well as essential oils (de Souza et al 2016 ; 2020 ). The effects of environmental factors, such as temperature, nutritive status of the plants, and light quality and intensity on trichome density have not been established for Cannabis .…”