This research was carried out to evaluate the intensive effect and spectral light quality transmitted by the shading nets related to Mentha arvensis plants growth, content and chemical composition. Two evaluations were performed, one 85 days after planting and the other one 80 days after plants reshoot. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks with 4 treatments and 5 replications, each plot with 3 pots (one plant per pot) in each cutting. The treatments consisted of mint cultured under full sun light and under shading net with 50% of black, red or blue screen. We evaluated the yield of dry leaves biomass, stalks, shoots, roots and stolons and total biomass, root/shoot ratio, total foliar area, foliar area ratio, foliar weight ratio, specific foliar area, shoots number after reshoots, content, yield and chemical composition of essential oil. The plants growth, essential oil content and yield were more affected by light intensity than spectral light quality transmitted by the shading nets. The shading of 50% by nets is excessive, independently on color. The chemical composition of essential oil was not affected considerably by color shading nets.
Mentha arvensis; light; colored nets; shading; menthol
