Effect of Nitrogen Nutrition on Growth and Essential Oil Production of Peppermint (Mentha Piperita)

Peppermint (Mentha piperita cv. Mitcham) plants were grown in Investigative Field of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in IRAN (59 N latitude), and evaluated for their response to nitrogen rates. The form of applied nitrogen was urea. Plants were measured for total essential oil content in flowering stage, plant height, dry matter (DM), leaf and node number, leaf area index (LAI), node and stem length. Rates of nitrogen applied were 0 (control), 75, 150 and 225 Kg ha^-1 nitrogen. The results showed that the increased nitrogen rates (0-150 Kg ha^-1), the essential oil yield increased and then it decreased. The highest level of essential oil obtained with 150 Kg ha^-1 N. The highest level of DM resulted in by nitrogen at 225 Kg ha^-1 rate. There was highest height in the plants that treated with nitrogen at 75 and 150 Kg ha^-1. The most node and leaf number were in nitrogen at 225 Kg ha^-1. The last node length observed at 225 Kg ha^-1.

Keywords: Mentha piperita, Essential Oil, Nitrogen Fertilizer, Growth and Development

Corresponding author: E-mail: aroiee_h@yahoo.com