PROPAGATION, PROPAGATION, EX SITUEX SITU CONSERVATION AND CONSERVATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CHARACTERIZATION OF MENTHA CERVINAMENTHA CERVINA AND AND

MENTHA PULEGIUMMENTHA 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 *fdelgado@esa.ipcb.pt

ObjectivesObjectives

Species Characterization and Regional Species Characterization and Regional InteressInteressThe 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.

Material and Material and MethodsMethodsGeGermination testsrmination tests

100 seeds of Mentha pulegium (3 months old), in 4 layers of wash filter paper

Conditons: 16h/25ºC day and 8h/20ºC nigth

Vegetative Propagation AssaysVegetative Propagation AssaysTerminal cuttings of Mentha cervina and Mentha pulegiumGrowth regulator IBA 0,5%Turf and perlite (2:1)

The experimental design was completely randomized:two species; two treatments (T, IBA); four replications

Morphological CharacterizationMorphological Characterization

Colour chart (RHS-2001)

Morphological descriptors elaborated in Program AGRO Nº 34

ResultsResults

Germination percentage is based on the emergency of the radicules

BEJA

ÉVORA

FARO

VISEUGUARDA

SANTARÉM

BRAGANÇA

SETÚBAL

LEIRIA

PORTALEGRE

COIMBRA

VILA REAL

LISBOA

BRAGA

AVEIRO

CASTELO BRANCO

PORTO

VIANA DO CASTELO

IDANHA-A-NOVA

PENAMACOR

N

Legenda:

Portugal

ConcelhosIDANHA-A-NOVAPENAMACOR

Escala: 1/2300000

50

70

90

110

130

150

Nu

mb

er

of

day

s

Menthacervina

Menthapulegium

Phenological evolution

Floration phase

Vegetation phase

GerminatioGerminationn

Ecotype: Mentha pulegium

Seed size(mm): 0,6Seed colour: Orange greyNumber of seeds per g: 978Germination %: 66

Figure 1- Root percentage and precocity, according to the vegetative propagation method used

Figure 2- Phenological evolution, from March to July 2002

ConclusionConclusionssThe 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.

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).

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.

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.

AcknowledgmentAcknowledgmentss

ReferencesReferencesFranco, J. A. 1984. Nova Flora de Portugal (Continente e Açores). Volume II. Clethraceae-Compositae. 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. ESA-IPCB.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

Vegetative PropagationVegetative Propagation

Study the best propagation method of Mentha cervina and Mentha pulegium

Morphological characterization to identify correctelly the accessements

n

Morphological CharacterizationMorphological Characterization

Botanical Commom Proprieties Regional Chemical Plantname names uses components parts

Cosmetic "Miga de peixe"(*) E. oil with high % of LeavesPoejo do peixe Drinks Flavours menthol Inflorescens

Mentha cervina Unknwon Flavour in cigars, Sauces StemPoleol de cérvol cigarettes and Roots

pipe tobacco In study on Agro nº 800Medicinal Tea to bronquite E. oil with 90% polegon Leaves

Poejo Oil used in flavours and asthma Menthol InflorescensMentha pulegium Pennyroyal Detergents "Miga de peixe"(*) Flavonoids Stem

Poleol d'aigua Household products Licours Carotenoids RootsRepellent to insects, Sauces Tanninsspecially fleasAbortificant activityAntiseptic

(*) Soup made with fishriver and bread

1 2Stem shapes round square

hairs calyx calyx and stem

simple leaves ensiform ovale-lanceolate

margins entire serrulate

points of attachement sessile sub-sessile

bracts ovate-lanceolateInflorescence

verticillaster forming a long spike verticillaster forming a long spike

terminal head terminal headFlower

hermaphrodite hermaphrodite

calyx campanulate tubular

simple dentate

4 teeth (triangulars) 5 teeth (2 narrow+3 triangulars)

corolla pink white (RHS-N155D) violet (RHS-(85A)

campanulate campanulate

stamens dehiscence extrorse extrorse

Blooming months VII - X VI - X

Cientific Name, according Franco (1984)

Mentha cervina (L) Mentha pulegium (L)

Ecotypes

0

25

50

75

100

Treatment

Mentha pulegium

40days 100 100

21days 93 100

IBA T

0255075

100

Treatment

Mentha cervina

40 days 100 100

15 days 100 100

IBA T

Ro

ot

%R

oot

%