Yield and Resource Use Optimization in Late Transplanted Mint (<i>Mentha arvensis</i>) under Subtropical Conditions

Abstract

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 × 10 5 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 × 10 5 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 × 10 5 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.