Mycorrhizal fungi inoculation and phosphorus fertilizer on growth, essential oil production and nutrient uptake in peppermint (Mentha piperita L.)

ARANGO, C.; RUSCITTI, M.; RONCO, M.; BELTRANO, JOSE

REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PLANTAS MEDICINAIS

UNESP

Lugar: Botucatu; Año: 2011 vol. 14

1516-0572

This research evaluated the effects of inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices A4 and Glomus intraradices B1 and two phosphorous levels (10 and 40 mg kg-1) on the root colonization, plant growth, nutrient uptake and essential oil content of Mentha piperita L. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, in a factorial scheme 4x2, in completely randomized design. The mycorrhizal plants had significantly higher fresh and dry weight and leaf area compared to non-mycorrhizal ones. The inoculation increased P, K and Ca contents and were higher under 40 mg P kg-1 of soil. The plants grown with 40 mg kg-1 P increased essential oil yield per plant about 40-50% as compared to those cultivated with 10 mg kg-1 P, regardless mycorrhizal treatment. Among studied fungus species, inoculation with G. intraradices A4 resulted in significant increase in growth and in essential oil yield compared with the others arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi species, at high P level. In conclusion, inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in peppermint plants is a feasible procedure to increase the essential oil production and reduce the fertilizer application required to obtain economic production of peppermint on phosphorous deficient soil condition.