Mentha x piperita L. var. piperita (mint pepper) is utilized due to the presence of essential oils, mainly because of the component menthol produced in glandular trichomes. The influence of light intensity and substratum fertility was evaluated on the amount produced and quality of the essential oil. The light intensities utilized were 100%, 70% and 50% of the total solar light and two levels of nutrition of the substratum were applied (forest soil and forest soil with addition of organic fertilizer. The high light intensity and the addition of fertilizer favored the growth in biomass, influencing in this sense the production of the essential oil per plant. The light intensity and the addition of fertilizer influenced the oil quality, showing the plants under full sun light and fertilization with higher menthol content than plants in shadow or without fertilization. Menthol was the major component of the essential oil.
essential oils; growth; light intensity; organic fertilizer
