Study of reproductive traits variation in Mentha genotypes (M. spicata)

In order to study reproductive traits variation of Mentha genotypes, an experiment was conducted on 19 Mentha genotypes belonging to fives species in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications at Fozve Research Station of Isfahan Agricultural Resource Research Center. Pollen length and width, viable and dead pollen percentages, number of pollen per anther, number of female flowers, number of complete flower per main spike, number of self pollinated seeds, number of open pollinated seeds and number of cross pollinated seeds were recorded. Results showed significant differences between all of the studied traits. Based on correlation coefficient between the traits, the number of open pollinated seeds, self pollinated seeds and cross pollinated seeds increased by increasing the number of complete flower, length and width of pollen seed, the number of live pollen seed and the number of pollens in anther. Stepwise regression showed correlation between increasing of self pollination and open pollination seed yield with number of viable pollen percentage and number of pollens in anther.  Cluster analysis on 19 genotypes classified the genotypes into 4 groups. Mean comparisons among the groups showed suitable variation. The results also showed crossing possibility between the studied species. In essence, there was enough variation between the genotypes to be used in breeding projects.