Morphoanatomic variation of Mentha x villosa L. produced in different cropping systems

Abstract

The small-leaved mentha (Mentha x villosa Huds) is widely cultivated in Brazil because of
its medicinal and aromatic properties. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the
production of this species in different types of cultivation, as well as its morpho-anatomical
characteristics. Was performed collected on the type of production, existing plants, fertilization,
irrigation and luminosity, as well as structural evaluations, which were done with stems and
leaves from adult and healthy plants grown in organic systems with management, urban and
conventional area. The production of small-leaved mentha in organic systems with management
and conventional showed a greater development of the leaf and its vascular bundles, as
well as the diameter of the stem. However, the conventional system is not recommended for
medicinal plants, since pesticides can compromise the quality of active ingredients and cause
environmental damage