Mint belongs to family of Lamiaceae, It is perennial herbs, popularly known as “Pudina” in hindi. It is used as herb and used to add flavoring of various dishes. Menthol is extracted from mint, and it is used in flavouring of mouthwash, tooth paste etc. It also possess medicinal property, such as it helps in improving digestion, to control nausea and headache. Also helps in weight loss.

Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana are major mint growing states in India. 

It can be cultivated on variety of soil. Well drained, sandy to clay loam soils are suitable for its cultivation. Avoid water logged soils as it will leads to root rot. 

Japanese Mint: MAS 10, Hybrid 77, EC 41911, Shivalik,

Spear mint: MSS 1, S 1, Punjab 5, Spear mint 1, Roy 1, Kiran, Neera

Bergamot Mint: DMD, ISS 5.

MAS 1: Dwarf, early maturing variety. Menthol content of 70%. Gives average yield of 80qtl/acre.

Hybrid 77: Early maturing variety with menthol content of 80-85%. Gives average yield of 100qtl/acre.

Shivalik: Menthol content is 65-70%. Gives average yield of 120qtl/acre.  

EC 41911: Erect type of variety, less affected by rains. Menthol content is 70%. Gives average yield of 96qtl/acre.  

Gomati: Menthol content if 75-85%. 

Himalaya: Resistant to blight and mildew disease. Its menthol content 78-80%. Gives average yield of 96Qtl/acre.  

Kosi: Ready to harvest in 90days. Gives average yield of 80-100kg/acre.  

Saksham: Give average yield of 90-100kh/acre. 

Kaushal: Variety developed by tissue culture. Ready to harvest in 90-100days. 

For good yield, plough land thoroughly for two to three time and bring soil to fine tilth. At time of land preparation, apply well decomposed cowdung or FYM@20-24 cart loads per acre. 

Time of sowing

Mint cultivation is possible in throughout the season. 

Spacing

For good yield, row to row spacing of 45cm and plant to plant spacing of 15cm is adopted.

Sowing Depth

Sow stem cutting in a row, at depth of 1 - 2cm.  

Method of sowing

For planting use stem cuttings and transplant them in field.

Seed Rate

For good growth, use stolons at the rate of 160 kg per acre land

Seed treatment

Before sowing, dipped stem cutting in solution of Carbendazim@1gm/liter or Captan@3gm/liter of water. 

For propagation purpose, vegetative method is used. Stem cuttings of 5-10cm length with diameter of 3-4mm are required used for sowing.  

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Apply well decomposed cowdung@100-120qtl/acre, along with 16kg of Phosphorus and Potash@20kg as basal dose. Apply, 20kg of Nitrogen in two equals spilt on 20th and 40th days after planting.

Irrigate the field immediately after planting and frequent irrigations are given during its growing period. In summer, apply irrigation at interval of 3-4days where as in winter season, apply irrigation with interval of 8 to 12days. 

Weeding is done two – three times to keep check on weeds. Carry out first weeding 25days after sowing. Take second weeding 30days after first weeding. 

• Pests and their control:

Hairy caterpillar: Caused by Dicarsia obliqua. They feed on green leaves and damage the whole plant.

To control this pest application of Malathion or Thiodan @1.7ml in litre of water is done.

Cutworms: Caused by Agrotis flammatra. It damages the collar region of the plant during spring season.

To control this disease soil is treated with Phorate @10gm before planting is done.

Red Pumpkin Beetle: Caused by Aulocophora foevicollis. It feeds on fresh greeny leaves and buds.

To control this disease application of Thiodan @1ml in 1 lire of water is given.

Mint Leaf Roller: Caused by Syngamia abrupatalis. The pest folds the leaf and feed themselves inside the leaf mainly in August-September.

To get rid of this disease application of Thiodan @1.5ml in 1 litre of water is given 2-3 times at weekly intervals.

• Diseases and their control:

Stolon Rot: Caused by Macrophomina phaseoli. It occurs on underground parts of the plant causes visible brown lesions resulting in decay.

To control this disease application of Captan @0.25% or Agallol solution @0.3% or Benlate @0.1% are given for 2-3 minutes on the stolons is given.

Leaf Blight: Caused by Alternaria sp. It causes damage of foliage in summer season.

To control this disease application of copper fungicide is done.

Fusarium Wilt: Caused by Fusarium oxysporum. It caused yellowing, curling and drying of leaves.;

To get rid of this disease application of Bavistin, Benlate and Topsin is given.

Plants are ready for harvesting after 100-120 days. Harvesting is done when yellowing of lower leaves starts. Harvesting is done with the help of sickle and herbs are removed 2-3cm above ground. Next harvesting is done at the interval of 80 days after first harvesting. For processing fresh leaves are used.

After harvesting, distillation is done by stem distillation method. Then mint oil is packed in large steel or aluminum containers. Quick transports are done for less spoilage of crop. From mint leaves several products like mint oil and chutneys are made after processing.