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Cultivation of Mint

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Cultivation of Mint

Cultivation of Mint (PODINA)

Mint or Mentha, is a perennial herb belonging to the Genus Mentha family Lamiaceae; Labiatae which provides us essential oil and driven aroma compounds on its distillation. Mint is an important leafy vegetable. Its leaves are used for flavoring soups, sauces, beverages, and chutneys. Their commercial extract is sold as “peppermint, which is used in many industrial and pharmaceutical preparations.

The four main cultivated species in India are ;

  1. Japanese Mint / Menthol (M. arvensis)

  2. Pippermint (M. Piperita

  3. Spearmint (M. spicata ) 

  4. Bergamot mint ( M. citrata)

Health Benefits of Mint / Podina 

Cultivation of Mint

Mint herbs are synonymous with freshness. Despite their uses as seasoning and dressing herbs in various recipes, this herb is also known for numerous health benefits, which are as follows:

  • Relieves indigestions due to the presence of antioxidants and phytonutrients. Menthol present in mint helps the enzymes necessary for digestion and relaxes the muscle of the stomach 

  • It cures pains and aches and gives a calm feeling to the entire body. 

  • It has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties

  • It helps in curing the oral infection.

  • It helps prevent several allergies and asthma due to rosmarinic acid, which acts as a powerful antioxidant.

  • Mint boosts immunity because its leaves have several nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, vitamins C, D, and E, and a small amount of vitamin B complex.

  • Mint helps in beating stress and depression Because it releases a small amount of serotonin in the brain 

Chemical Composition of Mint and Its Uses ;

 

Japanese mint (M.arvensis)

It is a primary source of menthol. The fresh leaves contain 4-6.0% oil. The main constituents of the oil are menthol (65-75%), menthone (7-10%), menthyl acetate (12-15%), and terpenes (pipene, limonene, and comphene).

Peppermint (M.piperita)

The fresh herb contains essential oils ranging from 0.4 to 0.6%. The constituents of peppermint oil are almost similar to Japanese mint oil. However, the menthol content is lower in peppermint oil and varies between 35-50%. The other constituents are menthyl acetate (14-15%), menthone (925%) menthofuran, and terpenes like pinene and limonene

Bergamot mint (M.citrate)

Linalool and linalyl acetate are the main constituents of Bergamot mint oil. The oil is used directly in perfumes. Cosmetic preparations like scents, soaps, after-shave lotions, and colognes also contain this oil.

Spearmint (M.spicata) 

The principal constituent of spearmint oil is carvone (57.71%) and the other minor constituents are phellandrene, limonene, L-pinene, and cinelole. The oil is used mostly as a flavouring in toothpaste and as food flavouring in pickles and spices, chewing gum and confectionery, soaps and sauces

 Soil & its Preparation for Mint Cultivation

Mint can grow in a wide range of soils. However, sandy loam soils rich in organic content with good drainage facilities are best suited for it. The pH level of 6 to 6.75 is best for its cultivation. The land should be thoroughly ploughed and harrowed. Manuring should be done by adding 25 tonnes of FYM per hectare

Varieties of Mint ;

S. No.

Variety

Characteristics 

1.

MAS – 1

1  It is a dwarf variety of 30-45 cm. height and an early maturing variety.

2: Less prone to insects due to short height.

3   Menthol content: 70-80%.

4   Yield: About 200 q/ha. of herbage & 125-150 kg. of oil/ha.

2.

Hybrid-77

 

1   Early maturing variety.

2   It is 50–60 cm. in height.

3: Less prone to diseases, viz., leaf spot & rust diseases.

4   Menthol content: 80-85%.

5   Yield: About 250 q/ha. of herbage & 120-150 kg. of oil/ha.

6  It is especially well adapted to sandy loam soils and the drier climate of the Tarai region.

3.

Shivalik

(selection from Chinese cultivar)

1: The recovery of oil from the herb is 0.4–0.5%.

2   Menthol content: 65-70%.

3  This variety is highly suitable for obtaining a second cut through ratooning.

4   It is particularly grown in Tarai region of U.P. & Uttaranchal.

5   The herbage yield is 300 q/ha, while the essential oil yield is about 180 kg/ha.

6: Highly sensitive to the fungal diseases and pests prevailing in the tarai area.

4.

EC-41911

(selection from Russian germplasm)

1    This is an erect type variety; less affected by rain.

2   It produces 236.5 q/ha of herbage and 125.2 kg/ha of oil with 70% menthol.

3  Oil is preferred in flavoring food items.

5.

Gomti

1  It is sturdy and light red in color.

2   Menthol content-78-80%.

3   Yield is less compared to other varieties. less adopted by farmers.

6.

Himalaya

1. Resistant to rust, blight, mildew, and leaf spot diseases.

2. Crop is good; leaves are larger than other varieties.

2. Menthol content: 78-80%.

3. The yield of herbage is 400q/ha and essential oil is 200-250 kg/ ha.

7.

Kosi

1. Mature early in 90 days.

2. Resistant to rust, blight, mildew, and leaf spot diseases.

3. Essential oil content: 75–80% menthol.

4. Yield: 200-250 kg. of oil /ha.

8.

Saksham

1: Developed through tissue culture from CV. Himalaya.

2  Yield: 225-250 kg. of oil/ha. having menthol content more than 80%.

9.

Kushal

1: A new variety developed through tissue culture.

2   Matures within 90-100 days.

3   The crop remains free from pests and diseases (particularly rust and leaf blight).

4   The variety is most suitable for transplanting after wheat in semi-arid-sub-tropical conditions of UP and Punjab.

5  It can withstand waterlogging for a few days.

6 Yield: 300-330 q/ha. having an oil yield up to 175-200 kg/ha.
Propagation of Mint;

It is propagated by seed or by creeping stolons, or suckers, or by using cuttings of the runner. The root sucker from the previous crop can be used for planting The best time for planting is October-November. But the crop can be planted throughout the year except in the rainy season. About 400 gm seeds or 100 kg cuttings are required for planting material for an acre.

Planting ;

7 – 10 cm long stolons/suckers are being planted in shallow furrows about 6 to 8 cm deep, maintaining the row-to-row distance of 45 to 60 cm

Manuring in Mint crop;

About 20 Cartloads of F.Y.M. 30 kg of single superphosphate and 20 kg of muriate of Potash per acre is beneficial for this crop.

Irrigation in Mint crop;

The water requirement in the mint crop is very high. It requires 10 to 12 irrigations before the arrival of the monsoon at the interval of 8 to 10 days and 3 to 4 irrigations after the departure of the monsoon; sometimes another 2 to 3 irrigations is required during the winter. To obtain the luxurious growth of the plant a sufficient balance between the water and fertilizers is very important.

Intercultural operation in Mint

The mint crop requires intensive weeding; it is the most expensive operation of this crop Hence,  the first 4 to 12 weeks are very crucial for weed control uninterrupted weed growth in the mint field may cause a substantial loss in the yield of up to 60% Mint requires regular hoeing after the planting and one hand weeding after the first harvest. Both post- and pre-weedicides are available to check the weed growth, but the chemical is not able to control monocot weeds after the rainy season; hence, the mechanical and chemical methods should be applied. The recommended chemical control is an application of oxyfluorfen at 0.5 a.i. kg per hectare in combination of with organic mulch or applying pendimethalin at 1 a.i. kg per hectare.

Crop Rotation ;

Crop rotation not only helps control the weeds, but it also gives better returns as far as the value of land is concerned. The  popular crop rotation in the different parts of the country are —

  1. Mint, Maize, Potato

  2. Rice, Mint, and vegetables

  3. Mint, peas, and Vegetables

  4. Mint, Maize, Vegetables

Harvesting of Mint;

The crop is ready to first harvest after 120 days of planting. When the lower leaves start turning yellow, a delay in harvesting may cause yield loss due to the fall of leaves. The harvesting of mint should be done on a bright sunny day; it should be harvested 2 cm above the ground with the help of a stake, and the subsequent harvesting can be done after 80-90 days of intervals.

Yield of Mint;

A good crop of mint can give as much as 40 – 45 tons of fresh leaves. The average yield of all three cuttings is 22 tons per hectare. A fresh leaf contains oil up to 0.4%

 

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