Effect of organic manures and bioformulations on growth, herb yield, quality and economics of Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis L.) VAR. Kosi

The present investigation “Effect of organic manures and bioformulations on growth, herb yield, quality and economics of Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis L.) var. Kosi”. was conducted during two seasons ie., during February-May of 2022 and August-November of 2022 at College of Horticulture, Rajendranagar, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticulture University. The experiment was devised in randomized block design with 10 treatments and 3 replications. Among the different treatments, the results reported that T₈ (50% FYM + 25% vermicompost + 25% neem cake + panchagavya spray (3%)) recorded significantly maximum plant height (58.70 cm and 54.70 cm), plant spread N-S (45.77 cm and 44.10 cm), plant spread E-W (48.30 cm and 47.30 cm), number of primary branches (30.45 and 27.11), number of secondary branches (10.23 and 9.95), number of leaves (1012.37 and 977.37), leaf area (18.77 cm² and 17.77 cm²), at harvest compared to other treatments which was statistically on par with T₉ (50% FYM (16 t/ha) + 25% VC (1.3 t/ha) + 25% NC (0.8 t/ha) + jeevamruth spray (10%)) during Feb-May and Aug-Nov respectively. Significantly maximum fresh herb yield per ha (237.04 q and 235.63 q), dry herb yield per ha (64.25 kg and 62.71 kg), oil yield per ha (232.45 kg and 208.30 kg) and essential oil content (0.98% and 0.88%) were recorded in T₈ (50% FYM + 25% vermicompost + 25% neem cake + panchagavya spray (3%)) compared to the other treatments which was statistically on par with T₉ (50% FYM (16 t/ha) + 25% VC (1.3 t/ha) + 25% NC (0.8 t/ha) + jeevamruth spray (10%)) but a non-significant difference was observed in menthol content (77.30% and 75.97%) during Feb-May and Aug-Nov respectively. The benefit cost ratio (1.48 and 1.27) was highest in the treatment T₈ (50% FYM + 25% vermicompost + 25% neem cake + panchagavya spray (3%)) compared to the other treatments.