Abstract

This experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The factor studied included mint species (Mentha longifolia var. amphilema (from Qazvin and Ardabil localities), Mentha spicata (from Tehran and Yazd localities), Mentha piperita (from Tehran and Ardabil localities) and Mentha aquatica (from guilan and Ardabil localities) that were collected at end of flowering stage in Iran during 2007. the results showed that mint species had significant effect on shoot yield, plant height, lateral stem number and leaf width (p ≤ 0.01) and leaf length and stem diameter (p < 0.05). M. longifalia var. amphilema from Qazvin locality was provided highest shoot yield (2656 kg/ha), plant height (70.67 cm) and stem diameter (4.1 mm). Longest leaf length (4.01 cm) and widest leaf width (2.32 cm) were achieved by M. piperita from Tehran locality and highest lateral stem number (39 stem per plant) was obtained by M. aquatica from guilan locality. Our findings indicated that were significant difference between morphological values and shoot yield in mint species. Therefore, the selection of species that perform well over a wide range of environments can increase quantity and quality yields of medicinal and aromatic plants.

Key words: Mint species, shoot yield, plant height, lateral stem number, leaf width, stem diameter and leaf length.