Abstract

                                Mentha is a commercially important herbal spice belonging to the family Labiatae (Lamiaceae). The evergreen herb (foliage) yields essential oil in distillation containing a large mixture of aroma-chemicals in varying compositions. As, the mint leaf is vitally used in our culinary preparations, there is a need to improve the herbage yield and optimize the usage of organic inputs for leaf production. Hence, the trial was taken to investigate the effect of organic manures (FYM, neem cake, vermicompost, biocompost) and biostimulants (Panchagavya and humic acid) on the growth and herbage yield of mint at the Department of Spices and Plantation Crops, Horticultural College & Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Periyakulam. The highest plant height of 35.22 cm was recorded in plants applied with 50% N as FYM + 25% N as Vermicompost + 25% N as Neem cake + 3% Panchagavya as foliar spray (T5). The more number of branches per plant of 25.67 was recorded in the plants which received 50% N as FYM + 25% N as Vermicompost + 25% N as Neem cake + 3% Panchagavya as foliar spray (T5). The highest herbage yield of 7.68 tons per hectare and essential oil content (0.37%) were recorded in the plants raised in the soil supplemented with 50% N as FYM Volume xxx | Issue xxxx | 2+ 25% N as Vermicompost + 25% N as Neem cake + Panchakavya (3%) as foliar spray (T5). In mint cultivation, the application of organic nutrients and inorganic fertilizers is commonly practiced to increase the herbage yield and quality of leaves. In view of the world demand for organic food, the enhancement of soil health, productivity, and the accessibility of local resources, cultivation under organic farming can be expected.

Key words : Bio-stimulants; Herbage; Mint; Organic nutrients; Panchagavya; Vermicompos