Tillage system effects upon productivity of Menta X Piperita

The trial examined the cultivation of Mentha x piperita L. (variety Rubescens Camus).The experiment was carried out under Mediterranean climatic conditions. The experiment considered the adoption of three cultivation techineques:(P1) minimum tillage to a depth of 20 cm using a disk harrow,(P2) minimum tillage to a depth of 30 cm using a disk harrow,(P3) conventional tillage by mouldboard ploughing to a to a depth of 40 cm and then a tillage to a depth of 20 cm using a cutter. In 2006 and 2007 the following biometric parameters were determined: stalk length, number of leaves, total fresh weight, fresh weight of the root, fresh weight of the stalk, fresh weight of the leaves, total dry weight and LAI and weeding floristic mapping was performed. Considering the parameters most strictly linked to the economic results (total fresh weight, fresh weight of the leaves and total dry weight) for 2006 and 2007, we found that P2 treatment showed the best performance.P3 has higher values than P1, but in the case of the fresh weight of the leaves and the total dry weight these differences are minor. The results of this trial indicate that minimum tillage of 30 cm is more productive for Menta x Piperita L. Minimum tillage of 20 cm is less productive than conventional tillage.