[Diversity of phytophagous and pathogens and their damage to mints (Mentha)].
The aim of this work was to estimate the phytopathologic condition of mints grown and self-growing in Kaunas Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University and elsewhere in Lithuania; and to identify the specific constitution, the spread and damage of the main pests and disease agents.


METHODS
Observations and examination were carried out with two local, four introduced mint species and with four hybrids in 1997-2003. We estimated the plant condition by identifying the intensity of the diseases and the abundance, spreading and damage of the pests. During the study we detected and identified the following pests--agents of diseases: Puccinia menthae, Erysiphe biocellata and Verticillium sp.; and phytophagous: Tetranychus urticae, Eupteryx atropunctata, Ovatus crataegarius, Polia persicariae, Agriotes lineatus, Chrysomela coerulans, Cassida viridis, Longitarsus lycopi. The most dangerous mint disease in Lithuania is rust; pests causing more harm are: Eupteryx atropunctata, Longitarsus lycopi. According to our data the least resistant species to most diseases and pests were Mentha arvensis and Mentha piperita, however separate samples of these species were exceptionally resistant. More resistant species was Mentha spicata and its hybrids.
Kaunas Botanical Garden, Vytautas Magnus University, Z. E. Zilibero 6, 46324 Kaunas, Lithuania. v.snieskiene@bs.vdu.lt
Vidmantas
V
Juronis
Vilija
V
Snieskiene
D004463:Ecology; D004777:Environment; D008097:Lithuania; D027541:Mentha / Q000254:growth & development / Q000469:parasitology; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000469:parasitology