Effect of Mechanical and Chemical Weed Control on the Growth, Development and Productivity ofMentha piperitaandM. arvensis var. piperascensGrown for Planting Material

Abstract

ABSTRACT Four regimes for weed control were tested in field experiments for five years: mechanical weed control (three tillages); chemical weed control (Sinbar NP80 at 2kg/ha); combined-1 weed control (Sinbar NP80 at 2 kg/ha and one hoeing) and combined-2 weed control (Sinbar NP80 at 2 kg/ha and tree hoeings). The investigation was carried out with two species Mentha piperita L. (Clone No. 1) and Mentha arvensis L. var. piperascens Malinv. (cv. Mentolna-14). It was established that the highest growth indices, fresh herbage and essential oil yields from M. piperita and M. arvensis var. piperascens were obtained when mechanical or combined (mechanical and chemical) weed control is used. In both species the essential oil composition, is not significantly affected by the method of weed control. The mechanical weed control contributes to the decrease of soil density in mint plantings which creates more favorable conditions for the increase of growth indices, the yields of fresh herbage, essential oil, and rhiz...