Abstract
Two species of mint Mentha piperitha (peppermint) and M. arvensis (Japanese mint) are widely cultivated in Iran, but their response to fertilizer regime has not been evaluated so far. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different organic and chemical fertilizer treatments [Control, 100% urea (95 kg N ha−1), 75% urea (71.25 kg N ha-1) + 25% vermicompost (3.3 t ha-1), 50% urea (47.5 kg N ha-1) + 50% vermicompost (6.75 t ha-1), 25% urea (23.75 kg N ha-1) + 75% vermicompost (10.1 t ha-1) and 100% vermicompost (13.5 ton ha-1)] on essential oil contents, yield and yield components of the two species of mint. Peppermint provided grater plant height, number of internodes, number of leaf and oil percentage compared with the Japanese mint under study. The results indicated that, irrespective of the mint species, plants treated with combined chemical and organic fertilizer presented taller plants, higher oil contents and oil yield compared with solo chemical or organic fertilizers. Oil percentage and essential oil yield of mint increased significantly under the treatment with 25% urea (23.75 kg N ha−1) + 75% vermicompost (10.1 t ha-1). Plant height and number of leaf increased along the replacement of organic fertilizer with chemical fertilizers. The results showed that there was a positive and significant correlation with leaf number and essential oil yield. Application of vermicompost in combination with chemical fertilizer increased plant height, oil percentage and essential oil in both species, suggesting that organic and chemical fertilizer combination improves performance and environmental sustainability.
Highlights
Efforts have been made to reduce the usage of synthetic N fertilizers and improve the efficiency of them so to reduce their impact on the environment
High application rate of nitrogen-based fertilizers can lead to increased leaching of nitrate into grand water (Yang et al, 2015)
Ammonium ions absorbed preferentially over nitrate ions, which means excess nitrate ions dissolved by irrigation or rain into grand water
Summary
Efforts have been made to reduce the usage of synthetic N fertilizers and improve the efficiency of them so to reduce their impact on the environment. Fertilizers’ management refers to application of suitable amounts of organic and inorganic fertilizers, in order to improve the health and productivity of soil and persuade plant growth (Ram et al, 2012). Chemical nutrients may have long-term adverse effects on soil properties and living organisms (García et al, 2014). High application rate of nitrogen-based fertilizers can lead to increased leaching of nitrate into grand water (Yang et al, 2015). To increase nitrogen use efficiency and decrease negative effects of them on the environment, the fertilizer supply showed match during the growing season (Tilman et al, 2002). Organic fertilizer improved the physical and biological properties of soil and reduced the effect of over fertilization
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