Enhancement of Growth and Essential Oil Traits of Spearmint and Peppermint through Mycorrhizal and Trichoderma Inoculations

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research paper

Authors

Department of Horticultural Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.

10.22059/ijhst.2025.390047.1024

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Trichoderma harzianum on growth, essential oil (EO) yield, and physiological traits in two spearmints (Mentha spicata) and one peppermint (Mentha × piperita) landrace. AMF treatments included Glomus etunicatum and Glomus fasciculatum, while T. harzianum was also tested. Combined inoculations significantly enhanced plant height, EO yield, and phytochemical composition. Spearmint plants treated with G. fasciculatum + T. harzianum reached the tallest height, and EO yields peaked at 2.8% in spearmint (Qaemshahr landrace) and 2.6% in spearmint (Vardavard landrace) under similar treatment. Limonene content in spearmint reached 20% with G. fasciculatum, while carvone peaked at 54% with G. etunicatum + T. harzianum. In peppermint, menthol content was highest (40.25%) with T. harzianum alone, and L-menthone peaked (34.9%) under G. fasciculatum + T. harzianum. Photosynthesis rates, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rates were highest in peppermint treated with G. fasciculatum + T. harzianum during the second harvest. Additionally, the greenness index peaked in peppermint treated with T. harzianum alone. These findings demonstrate the synergistic potential of AMF and T. harzianum in improving growth, physiological traits, and EO production in mint species, offering a promising strategy to enhance commercial mint cultivation.

Keywords

International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 31 October 2026

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History

  • Receive Date: 06 February 2025
  • Revise Date: 28 June 2025
  • Accept Date: 18 July 2025

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