Abstract
Three major cultivated Mentha spp. (M. arvensis, M. citrata and M. cardiaca) were grown under short-days, normal-days or long-days for 60 cycles. Subsequent to photoperiodic treatment, the plants were assessed for growth behaviour, essential oil content, oil composition and essential oil biosynthesis. The species grew better under long-day conditions. The long-day treatment resulted in flowering in M. citrata, which normally does not flower under our conditions. The oil concentration and biogenesis was maximal in short-day plants. The photoperiodic treatment also affected the oil composition. The observations are discussed in relation to physiology of the oil biogenesis.
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Farooqi, A., Samgwan, N. & Sangwan, R. Effect of different photoperiodic regimes on growth, flowering and essential oil in Mentha species. Plant Growth Regulation 29, 181–187 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006248019007
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006248019007