Mentha

Regenerated Mentha plant

The Mentha project is a good example how genetic diversity of nature helps to develop new plant lines. A characteristic feature of Mentha is its enormous genetic heterogeneity, a variable ploidy level and an immense crossing potential (bastardization) between (sub-)species. This results in broad biodiversity influencing anatomy, morphology but also biochemical processes like the monoterpene synthesis.

Due to genetic heterogeneity and sterility proliferation is usually happening via cost intensive vegetative propagation or meristematic cultures. Classical breeding does not always result in plant lines with significant improved characteristics, which is due to sterility and ploidy differences among various putative useful members of the gene pool.

Mentha protoplasts prepared for
fusion in an electric field.Protoplast fusion (somatic hybridization) is a tool to overcome the restrictions of conventional breeding. Different factors of metabolite biosynthesis, biomass enlargement or development could be used for a new combination even between different species.

One of our projects aims to use the high diversity of Mentha and other Lamiaceae to create new combinations of desirable characteristics via somatic hybridization.

The high value of Mentha has lately been emphasized by the selection Mentha piperita (commonly known as Peppermint) as medicinal plant of the year 2004 by the "history of the development of medicinal plants" group at the University of Würzburg, Germany.