Diseases of Mint

Mint, the genus Mentha, is comprised of 18 species and 11 hybrids (Mentha: an overview of its classification and relationships. In: Lawrence BM (d.) Mint: the genus Mentha. CRC Press, the Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, pp. 1–39, 2007). The mints are commonly grown as perennials, are used as flavorings in food and beverages, and also have numerous medicinal and aromatic properties. The most common mint species grown in the USA, an important center of production, are peppermint (Mentha × piperita), native spearmint (M. spicata), and Scotch spearmint (M. × gracilis). These and other species, e.g., corn or Japanese mint (M. canadensis, syn. M. arvensis), are commonly grown in China, India, and Brazil, other major centers of mint production. The profitability of mint can be decreased by a number of mainly fungal pathogens and some begomoviruses. Particularly damaging include Alternaria leaf spot, rust, and Verticillium wilt. Management strategies for diseases of mint recently studied include the use of cultural practices, fungicides, genetic resistance, and physical methods.