Peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.) and Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis L.), as the prominent menthol bearing
species are widely cultivated and have a considerable share in the global essential oil trade. In this research, the
effects of two different planting dates (spring and autumn), diverse cutting time, and alluvial soil conditions were
investigated on the growth and essential oil compounds of M. × piperita L. var. Black Mitcham and M. arvensis
var. piperascens Holmes in Çukurova Region/Turkey, during 2011 2014. According to the results, despite the
relative superiority of M. arvensis; no significant difference was recorded in the growth potential of two species.
However, the content and yield of M. arvensis essential oil (4.8 % and 94 L ha 1) were substantially higher than
M. × piperita (2.8 % and 43 L ha 1). In terms of plant height, dry biomass, leaf dry weight, and essential oil yield,
the spring planting date was significantly superior to autumn. Among the six cuttings, the data of the first
cuttings were significantly higher than the second cuttings for each year. The major essential oil constituents of
M. × piperita were menthol (22.5–44.6 %) and menthone (13.8–37.4 %). Overall, menthol was more abundant in
the spring cultivation of M. × piperita. In contrast, menthone amounts were higher in autumn cultivation.
Menthol (53.6–70.5 %) was the major compound of M. arvensis. Isomenthone (4.5–17.7 %), menthone (3.3–14.5
%), and α- pinene (3.6–11.1 %) were the other major oil components of M. arvensis. Menthol content significantly
decreased from the fourth cuttings. Although a declining trend in the yield of species was observed over time, the
results were acceptable considering the restrictive conditions of the alluvial soils. All in all, without imposing the
limits on the cultivation areas of the strategic agricultural crops; the cultivation of medicinal plants would be
advisable with the plenty of alluvial lands.