Effects of inoculation with mycorrhizal fungus and foliar spraying of chitosan on growth characteristics, morphology, and essential oil content of Mentha spicata L. in an organic farming system

Subject Areas : Medicinal Plants

Mina Kaviani Darani ¹ , Abdollah Ghasemi Pirbalouti ^{2 *} , Hamid Mozafari ³ , Mohammad Reza Ardakani ⁴ , Davoud Habibi ⁵

1 - Department of Agronomy, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 - Department of Agronomy, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
4 - Department of Agricultural Engineering and Plant Breeding, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
5 - Department of Agronomy, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2024-05-02 Accepted : 2024-11-19 Published : 2025-06-22

Keywords: Bio-fertilizer, Essential Oil, Mentha spicata L., Organic Farming, Root Colonization, Yield,

Abstract :

To investigate the effects of foliar spraying with chitosan and inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi on the growth, morphological characteristics, and essential oil production of Mentha spicata L. (Lamiaceae) under organic farming conditions, a field experiment was conducted during two crop years 2018-2019 and 2019-2020at the organic farm located on the Research and Education field of I.A.U., Karaj Branch (Mehrdasht), Iran. The experimental treatments were arranged in a factorial design with a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and four replications. The experimental treatments included factor A: foliar spraying (control, water spraying, and chitosan foliar spraying at two levels of 2000 and 4000 ppm) and inoculation (with mycorrhizal fungus and without inoculation). The results of the experimental treatments in this study on the growth and morphological characteristics of the mint plant showed that the interaction effect of mycorrhizal inoculum × chitosan foliar-spraying on some features, such as chlorophyll (in particular chlorophyll a), the fresh plant weight, phosphorus concentration, colonization, and essential oil yield per area, was significant. The use of mycorrhizal fungi, combined with foliar spraying of chitosan, can enhance the growth and morphological traits of mint plants. This combination promotes phosphorus acquisition, increases fresh plant weight, and boosts essential oil yield by improving root growth. Consequently, it further enhances both the quantitative and qualitative yield of the mint plant. Finally, it can be concluded that the foliar application of chitosan and the soil application of mycorrhizal fungi, due to the non-use of chemical fertilizers in an organic farming system, can lead to the health of agricultural products, soil, and the environment.

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