Substrates in Organic Mint Cultivation: Growth, Phytochemistry and Biological Activities.

ABSTRACT: Mentha piperita is an essential oil (EO)-producing species with high commercial relevance. Its EOs are widely used in the pharmaceutical, fragrance, food and cosmetic industries. This study evaluated alternative substrates to industrial fertilizers, aiming to enhance plant development and EO yield while reducing environmental impact and costs. Three treatments were tested: corrected soil (CS), soil with vermiculite, vermicompost, and rock powder (SVR), and soil with bovine manure (SM). Growth parameters, macro- and micronutrient content, antioxidant and enzymatic activity (PAL), EO yield, and chemical composition were assessed. The SM treatment resulted in the highest fresh and dry biomass, nitrogen content, and PAL. The SVR treatment showed higher potassium levels, shoot/root ratio

SUBMITTER: Carreiro GO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12473572 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature