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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
A field experiment was performed on spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) under different irrigation
regimes in a hilly area of Southern Italy. Objectives of the study include evaluating the physiological
and biometrical response of mint from plant establishment up to its complete maturation, as well as
the yield composition in essential oil at two different dates. Increasing levels of water stress affected
later developing leaves and plant’s water status and net photosynthesis (from the beginning of stress
(DAT 63), while affecting negatively the biometric response very soon and significantly from 35 DAT.
Photosynthesis limitation played a critical role from DAT 53 on, namely later, in the harvest period
(DAT 35–70). Under severe water stress, crop restricted water losses by modulating stomatal closure
and, at harvest, showing lowered mesophyll conductance. Irrigation treatments did not affect the
concentration of organic compounds, while the yield of essential oils was negatively affected by
water stress due to reduced crop growth, in terms of total and leaf biomass, leaf area index (LAI) and
crop height
Description
Keywords
aromatic balsamic irrigation photosynthesis spearmint water stress water balance
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Water 2019, 11, 2264
Publisher
MDPI