Yield and resource use optimization in late transplanted mint (Mentha arvensis) under subtropical conditions

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 1994 and 1995 at Lucknow (26.5°N, 80.5°E, 120 m above mean sea level) to optimize planting density and fertilizer-N application for high essential oil yield of late transplanted mint (Mentha arvensis). The treatments studied were 2.5, 2.0 and 1.66×10⁵ mint seedlings ha⁻¹ and 0, 80, 160 and 240 kg N ha⁻¹. Under 3 months delayed planting conditions using 2-month-old seedlings, the high planting density of 2.5×10⁵ plants ha⁻¹ combined with 160 kg N ha⁻¹ gave significantly higher herb and essential oil yields compared with those of lower planting densities (2 and 1.66×10⁵ plants ha⁻¹) and all other rates of N application. It is demonstrated that a transplanted mini crop, yielding essential oil at a level of 164 kg ha⁻¹, is feasible after the harvest of rabi cereal, oil seed or legume crops in the north Indian plains.