Medicinal plants produce their active principles according to environmental stimuli; thus, the presence of other plants may affect the synthesis of secondary compounds. The present work aimed to evaluate the effect of intercropping on phytomass and essential oil production in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and mint (Mentha x villosa Huds.). The study was carried out in the experimental field of the Center for Agriculture, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Montes Claros Campus, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with twelve replicates and six treatments: basil + carrot, basil + lettuce, sole crop of basil, mint + carrot, mint + lettuce, and sole crop of mint. Phytomass and essential oil production in mint were not affected by the treatments. As regards basil, only fresh matter significantly varied with treatments.
medicinal plants; secondary metabolites; intercropping
