PROPAGATION, EX SITU CONSERVATION AND
CHARACTERIZATION OF MENTHA CERVINA AND
MENTHA PULEGIUM
Delgado-Sousa,F.1*; Rosa, C.; Sousa,T.; Amaro–Silva,,C.1; Oliveira,Mª R.1
1Escola
Superior Agrária de Castelo Branco; Quinta Sra de Mércules; Apartado 119 6001-909 Castelo Branco
*[email protected]
Species Characterization and Regional Interess
The ecotypes in study of Mentha genera, from the Labiteae family, are
either spontaneous or cultivated in the Portuguese region of Beira Interior,
by their importance as aromatic, culinary and medicinal herbs.
Objectives
Study the best propagation method
of Mentha cervina and Mentha
pulegium
VIAN A DO C ASTEL O
BR AGA
BR AGAN Ç A
VILA R EAL
POR TO
Botanical
name
VISE U
AVEI RO
GUA R DA
Commom
names
Cosmetic
Poejo do peixe Drinks
Unknwon
Flavour in cigars,
Poleol de cérvol cigarettes and
pipe tobacco
Medicinal
Poejo
Oil used in flavours
Pennyroyal
Detergents
Poleol d'aigua Household products
Repellent to insects,
specially fleas
Abortificant activity
Antiseptic
PEN AM AC OR
COI MB RA
CA STELO BR AN C O
ID AN HA -A -N OV A
LEIR IA
SAN TAR ÉM
Morphological characterization to
identify correctelly the accessements
Mentha cervina
POR TALE GR E
LISB OA
ÉVOR A
Legenda:
Con ce lh os
IDA NHA -A -NO VA
PE NA MA CO R
Po rt uga l
SETÚ BAL
Esca la: 1/2 300000
BEJA
N
Mentha pulegium
FA RO
Proprieties
Regional
Chemical
uses
components
"Miga de peixe"(*) E. oil with high % of
Flavours
menthol
Sauces
Plant
parts
Leaves
Inflorescens
Stem
Roots
In study on Agro nº 800
Tea to bronquite E. oil with 90% polegon
and asthma
Menthol
"Miga de peixe"(*) Flavonoids
Licours
Carotenoids
Sauces
Tannins
Leaves
Inflorescens
Stem
Roots
(*) Soup made with fish
river and bread
Material and Methods
Vegetative Propagation Assays
Germination tests
100 seeds of Mentha pulegium (3 months
old), in 4 layers of wash filter paper
Conditons: 16h/25ºC day and 8h/20ºC nigth
Germination percentage is based on the
emergency of the radicules
Morphological descriptors elaborated
in Program AGRO Nº 34
The experimental design was completely
randomized:two species; two treatments
(T, IBA); four replications
Vegetative Propagation
Morphological Characterization
Mentha cervina
1
2
round
calyx
ensiform
entire
sessile
square
calyx and stem
ovale-lanceolate
serrulate
sub-sessile
ovate-lanceolate
verticillaster forming a long spike
terminal head
verticillaster forming a long spike
terminal head
hermaphrodite
campanulate
simple
4 teeth (triangulars)
pink white (RHS-N155D)
campanulate
extrorse
VII - X
hermaphrodite
tubular
dentate
5 teeth (2 narrow+3 triangulars)
violet (RHS-(85A)
campanulate
extrorse
VI - X
Root %
Ecotypes
Stem
shapes
hairs
simple leaves
margins
points of attachement
bracts
Inflorescence
100
75
50
25
0
IBA
T
40 days
100
100
15 days
100
100
Treatment
Mentha pulegium
Flower
calyx
corolla
stamens dehiscence
Blooming months
Cientific Name, according
Franco (1984)
Mentha cervina (L)
100
Root %
Ecotype: Mentha pulegium
Seed size(mm): 0,6
Seed colour: Orange grey
Number of seeds per g: 978
Germination %: 66
Colour chart (RHS-2001)
Results
Germinatio
n
n
Terminal cuttings of Mentha cervina and
Mentha pulegium
Growth regulator IBA 0,5%
Turf and perlite (2:1)
Morphological Characterization
75
50
25
0
IBA
T
40days
100
100
21days
93
100
Mentha pulegium (L)
Tre atme nt
Figure 1- Root percentage and precocity, according to the
vegetative propagation method used
Conclusions
Phenological evolution
The results show that the most efficient mean of propagation was the
vegetative one. This further suggests that, in the future, this method of
propagation will be of the utmost importance in the production,
preservation and conservation of the above mentioned species.
Num ber of days
150
130
110
In this project we are working with other species of AMP, until
2004.The staff pretends to implement in-situ and ex-situ conservation
inserting plants in original places of native flora and establish a tematic
Botanic Garden at ESACB, to contribute to sustainable development,
environmental education and awareness of AMP diversity.
90
Vegetation phase
70
50
Mentha
cervina
According to other works in Portugal, we didn’t find seeds in Mentha
cervina, whose results are only in vegetative propagation.
A characterization/demonstration field was established with the plants
propagated in autumn/winter 2002. The plants were morphologically
characterized so as to identify and to correctly classify botanically, each
specie (considering that they have different origins in the Beira Interior
region).
Floration phase
Mentha
pulegium
Figure 2- Phenological evolution, from March to July 2002
References
Franco, J. A. 1984. Nova Flora de Portugal (Continente e Açores). Volume II. ClethraceaeCompositae. Sociedade Astória, Lda. Lisboa.pp: 172-185
Mickey, M. & King, C.2002. The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terms.Cambridge
University Press.United Kingdom
Rosa, C.2003.Plantas Aromáticas e Medicinais da Beira Interior-Propagação, Conservação e
Caracterização.Relatório de Fim de Curso de Engª de Ciências Agrárias-Ramo Agrícola. ESAIPCB.Castelo Branco
Sousa, T.2003.Ensaios de Técnicas Experimentais de Germinação de Sementes para a Conservação
ex-situ de Plantas Aromáticas e Medicinais. Relatório de Fim de Curso de Engª de Ciências
Agrárias-Ramo Agrícola. ESA-IPCB.Castelo Branco
Acknowledgments
This experiment was carried out on behaf of Program Agro nº 34 “Etnobotany, the use and
management of aromatical and medicinal plants and their sustainable utilization as a contribution to
the improvement of rural areas”, in “Escola Superior Agrária” (School of Agriculture of the
Polytechinc Institute), Castelo Branco – Portugal.