Double cutting meristem Black Mitcham peppermint

• Published in: The Journal of essential oil research Vol. 11; no. 1; pp. 89 - 96
• Main Authors: Welty, L.E, Prestbye, L.S, Westcott, M.P, Knox, M.L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 1999
• Subjects: crop management; crop quality; cutting frequency; developmental stages; essential oils; harvest date; Labiatae; longevity; Mentha piperita; Mentha x piperita; meristem tissue culture; meristems; mint harvest management; oil yield; peppermint; yields
• ISSN: 1041-2905; 2163-8152
• DOI: 10.1080/10412905.1999.9701081

Propagating 'Black Mitcham' peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) using in vitro meristem culture has produced a more vigorous plant biotype that produces more dry matter, but less essential oil than biotypes propagated with stem cut culture. Management systems need to be developed that will take advantage of the increased vigor of the meristem peppermint. The objectives of this research were to develop double cutting systems for meristem peppermint by determining the effects of double cutting on essential oil yield, oil quality, and stand longevity. Experiment 1 (1994/1995) compared single cutting (1 Aug 1994) to double cutting with first harvests on 21 June, 28 June, 5 July, 12 July and 19 July and second harvests on 1 Sep or 27 Sep Experiment 2 (1995/1996) compared a single cutting (7 Aug 1995) to double cutting with first harvest on 11 July and second harvests on 1, 8, 15 and 22 Sep. In the second year of each experiment, all plots were harvested on the same date to determine effects of the previous year's cutting schedules on plant vigor, oil yield and stand longevity. Double cutting meristem Black Mitcham peppermint increased essential oil yields by 200% in 1994 and 54% in 1995 as compared with single cutting. The best double-cut combination in 1994 was 12 July and 1 September and in 1995 was 11 July and 15 September. Detrimental effects on subsequent plant vigor and stand in the year after double cutting were negligible in each experiment. The early June harvests produced immature oils, whereas late second harvests produced overmature oils. Peppermint growers must be aware that some price adjustments could be made for these atypical oils. It appears that double cutting meristem peppermint can be an option in years when normal growth is evident.