A preliminary study on the influence of gibberellic acid on Mentha arvensis Linn. var.piperascens holmes (Japanese mint)

Abstract

"Gibberellic acid (GA³) solutions (10-200 p.p.m.) when sprayed onMentha arvensis Linn. var.piperascens at preflowering stage induces 30-50 per cent. increase in the yield of total herb. Apart from the elongation of internode, the leaf area was also increased. The stage of development of the plant at the time of treatment, appeared to be a significant factor in obtaining favourable Gibberellin effects. Pre-soaking of the suckers in GA solution induced early sprouting. Essential oil obtained from the treated leaves, however, decreased by 5-15 per cent. but had no deleterious effect on menthol contents."Mentha arvensis Linn. var.piperascens (Japanese mint) which has been introduced in India by the Regional Research Laboratory, Jammu, is now fairly well established for commercial exploitation of natural Menthol. During the course of investigation on the influence of Gibberellic Acid (GA) on various aromatic plants, the authors studied its effect on the growth, volatile oil and Menthol contents of this mint.