Water economization in Japanese mint through crop establishment, irrigation and nitrogen levels

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at Faizabad (UP) during summer 2016-2017 in split plot design with three replications to optimize the use of water and enhance the economic returns of Japanese mint. Results revealed thatraised bed planting recorded maximum herbage and oil yield, CU, RWU, moisture extraction (ME), WUE, WP, returns and B-C ratio than the ridge and flat bed planting. Soil moisture regimes maintained at 1.2 IW/CPE ratio significantly enhanced crop growth and yield with maximum water use, WP, returns and B-C ratio over others. Application of 125% RDN significantly produced maximum herbage (17124 kg/ha) and oil yield (131.9 kg/ha), water use, WP and economic returns over 75% RDN and it were at par with RDN. Irrigation at 1.2 IW/CEP ratio under raised bed planting using 125% RDN was the better option for higher yield, water use and economic returns of Japanese mint in saline soil of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Keywords

• Economics
• Irrigation
• Mentha
• Nitrogen
• Sowing method
• Water productivity