Effect of different planting times on essential oil components of different mint (Mentha spp.) varieties

摘要

A field experiment was carried out in 1993 and 1994 at Harran Plain, Turkey, to determine the effect of different planting dates (15 October, 15 November, 1 April, and 1 May) on the essential oil components of different mint varieties (Mentha arvensis var. piperascens and M. piperita cultivars Mitcham, Eskisehir, and Prilubskaja). The mint oil components, i.e. alpha-pinene (0.49-1.00%), beta-pinene (1.38-2.12%), 1,8-cineole [eucalyptol] (2.64-10.85%), menthone, menthofuran (28.09-49.52%), menthole(22.55-38.89%), pulegone (0.00-1.32%), menthyl acetate (0.46-6.78%), and beta-caryophyllene (0.54-2.84%), were determined. The results indicated that the essential oil components were affected by planting date, mint cultivar, and cutting numbers. The highest menthole ratio was obtained from M. arvensis var. piperascens (33.50-38.89%) from second cutting and autumn transplanting. Therefore, autumn transplanting is more suitable under Harran Plain conditions.