Development of mint (Mentha piperita L.) grown on biosolids: evaluation of productivity and essential oil content

Abstract

Development of Mentha piperita L . on biosolids amended soil with levels equivalent to 0, 28, 56 and 112 t ha-1 was evaluated. In order to measure the productivity and its relation with mint essential oil yield, different indices were determined: leaf area, total and several organ dry matter, leaf area ratio, specific leaf area, net assimilation rate and relative growth rate at 30, 44, 58, 72 and 86 days after planting (DAP), and essential oil yield at 90, 110 and 120 DAP. Physiological indices revealed that biosolids prolonged the vegetative phase of the plants, which adapted themselves to the presence of biosolids with time. Plants showed inverse behaviors in relation to productivity, resulting from the primary metabolism, represented by the shoot dry matter yield, and oil yield, resulting from the secondary metabolism. Adaptation of the mint plants to the growth on biosolids could be due to a phytoremediation function of this species. The intrinsic mechanisms of these processes could be better understood in a further evaluation of residual effects in mint plant shoots.