The Importance of Harvest Date and Plant Density on the Yield and Quality of Tasmanian Peppermint Oil1

Abstract

Abstract Oil yield of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) per unit area obtained from plant density treatments 30 and 40 plants/m2, reached a maximum early in the growing season, whereas oil yield from the lower density treatment, 10 plants/m2, continued to increase even at a menthol content of 50%. The latter density treatment yielded less oil per unit area. At the 2 highest densities, herb harvested at a stage when oil contained 45% free menthol resulted in maximum oil yield and optimum oil quality. Delaying harvest once the above stage had been reached resulted in increased levels of menthol but at the expense of increased levels of menthofuran and decreased oil yields. As the growing season progressed, menthol and menthyl acetate contents of oil increased while menthone decreased. This effect was accelerated at the high plant densities.