Determination of Ontogenetic Variability of Essential oil Content and Components in Menthol Mint (Mentha arvensis L.) in Ankara Ecological Conditions

This research was carried out to determine on ontogenetic variability of essential oil content and components in menthol mint (mentha arvensis l.) in ankara ecological conditions. the experiment was set up in randomized block design in 2009. in this research, essential oil content, components and dry herb/ fresh herb in menthol mint (mentha arvensis l.) were determined at the pre-flowering, initial flowering and at 40–60 % flowering stages. the essential oil content varied from 0,80–1,77. the dry / fresh herb ratio varied from 22,67–38,67 %. l-menthol of major component of essential oil varied from 44,27–47,90 %. in this research, essential oil content, essential oil component and dry herb / fresh herb ratio were affected by harvesting at different developmental stages. the highest essential oil content, l-menthol and dry herb/ fresh herb ratio were determined at 40-60 % flowering stage.