Cultivation of Mint (Mentha x gracilis) in Agroforestry System

Aims: The cultivation of medicinal plants in intercropping with other species of agricultural use has
been an alternative to make production sustainable in family farming. The objective of this work was
to evaluate the growth, biomass production, and chemical composition of the essential oil of mint
(Mentha x gracilis Sole) in intercropping with fruit species in an agroforestry system. This study was
conducted as an important contribution to agroforestry management practices and to assist in
deciding which intercropping option to use in this cultivation system. In particular, this information
should facilitate the establishment of scientific intercropping systems, help maintain the sustainable
use of agroforestry and provide a theoretical basis for the sustainable development of agriculture.
Study Design: The experimental design was randomized blocks with four treatments, mint inter
planted with citrus (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck), bananas (Musa spp.), blackberries (Morus nigra), or
Barbados cherries (Malpighia glabra).
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted in the agroforestry located in the
sector of Olericultura of the Federal University of Technology – Paraná (UTFPR), Brazil, in the period
between November 2015 to February 2017.
Methodology: We analyzed physiological and growth variables as light intensity, relative chlorophyll
index, height, leaf area, biomass accumulation, essential oil content, oil production and chemical
composition of mint in agroforestry.
Results: The highest production of biomass (252.50; 249.31 g planta-1) and essential oil (135.42;
141.63 L ha-1) were obtained in the intercropping of mint with citrus and Barbados cherries,
respectively, possibly due to the edaphic climatic conditions, such as greater light intensity, that
favored the growth, production and chemical composition of the mint essential oil. Bananas and
blackberries intercropped with mint were not beneficial for the growth and production of essential oils.
Conclusion: The intercropping of mint with citrus and Barbados cherries resulted in higher growth,
biomass accumulation and essential oil content and production. The major components of the
essential oils were linalool (48.66; 49.87%) and carvone (18.30; 17.86%) with higher percentages in
the intercropping of mint with citrus and Barbados cherries, respectively. The cultivation of mint by
intercropping with fruit species such as citrus and Barbados cherries is an option to diversify the
production of medicinal plants, making it sustainable.