Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research
 

Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research 

Vol. 5(6), pp. 414-418. October, 2017.

ISSN: 2360-7874 

 DOI: 10.14662/ARJASR2017.052

Full Length Research

Response of Spearmint (Menthaspicata L.) to Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizers at Koka, Ethiopia

¹ Ashenafi Nigussie, ²Mideksa Chala, ²Belstie Lulie, and ³Getenet Adugna

^{1, 2,} Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center, P.o.box, 198, Shashemene, Ethiopia

³ Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Melkasa Agricultural Research Center

Corresponding author’s email: nigussie.ashenafi@yahoo.com

Accepted 17 September 2017

Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) is perennial aromatic plant and productive up to 15 years, primarily cultivated mainly for its aromatic oil. A field study was conducted to determine optimum nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer rate for some selected agronomic characteristics, essential oil yield and oil content of spearmint at Koka substation in 2014/2015 cropping season. Four nitrogen levels (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N ha^-1) and four phosphorus levels (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg P ha^-1) were used as treatments and laid out in factorial RCBD with three replications. Analysis of variance revealed that, leaf fresh, stem fresh and leaf dry weights of spearmint were not affected significantly (P > 0.05) by the main effect of applied rates of inorganic N fertilizer as well as its interaction effect. Pooled mean analysis result showed that, above ground biomass and essential oil yield were significantly (p>0.05) influenced by different level of nitrogen, phosphorus and their interaction. The combined application of N and P fertilizers at the rate of 30 kg N and 20 kg P ha^-1 increased spearmint above ground biomass by 29% and essential oil yield by 12% while compared to the control treatment but statistically at par between them. Generally, a fertilizer dose of 30 kg N ha ^-1 and 20 kg P ha ^-1 could be recommended at koka and other similar area to attain maximum above ground biomass and Essential oil yield of spearmint. Finally, this study provides useful information regarding soil and crop response for further investigation.

Key words: Nitrogen and Phosphorus fertilizer, oil content, oil yield and spearmint

How to cite this article: Nigussie A, Chala M, Lulie B, Adugna G (2017). Response of Spearmint (Menthaspicata L.) to Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizers at Koka, Ethiopia. Acad. Res. J. Agri. Sci. Res. 5(6): 414-418

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