ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF CUTTING SEASON ON THE YIELD, ESSENTIAL OIL, AND COMPOSITION OF SPEARMINT CULTIVARS

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the productivity, oil content, and composition of two spearmint species, Mentha spicata and M. suaveolens, during different harvesting periods in the continental climate of the Lake Region of Turkey. The study was conducted during at a two-year period, including both summer and autumn cutting seasons in 2016 and 2017. The investigation revealed a significant increase in yields during the summer harvest season. Carvone emerged as the predominant compound, with the exception of the Pinedo cultivar. Carvone contents of the genotypic variations were from 28.0% to 51.0%, exhibiting heightened concentrations during the initial harvest, followed by a subsequent reduction during the autumn harvest season. The major components of the Pinedo was piperitenone oxide, accounting for 67.0% of the oil, and underwent a decline during the autumn harvest.