Pudina, also known as mentha, is a stimulating herb. Mint oil, toothpaste, mouthwashes, and flavouring agents are all made from the mint. Its leaves are used to create a variety of drugs. Moreover, mint-based medications treat nasal congestion, rheumatism, neuralgia, carminatives, and bronchitis. It is used in a variety of pharmaceutical applications. It is a small herb with spreading rootstocks that grows to a height of 1-2 feet. The leaves are 3.7-10cm long and have small purplish flowers. It originated in the Mediterranean basin. Angola, Thailand, China, Argentina, Brazil, Japan, India, and Paraguay are the most common places to find it. India’s mint-growing states are Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.
Soil for Pudina Farming
It grows in various soil types, including medium to fertile, deep soil with a high water retention capacity. It can survive in areas with low waterlogging. However, it performs best in humus-rich soil. The pH range of 6-7.5 was ideal for the crop. Make the ground more perfect with excellent farming equipment like Farmtrac 45 and others.
Popular Varieties
MAS-1 is a dwarf variety that grows to a height of 30-45 cm. The type is disease resistant and matures early. It has a menthol content of 70-80%, herbage content of @80 QTL/acre, and oil content of @50-60 kg/acre.
Hybrid-77: It stands 50-60 cm tall. The variety is resistant to leaf spots and rust and matures early. It has a menthol content of 80-85 per cent, a herbage content of 100 QTL/acre, and an oil content of 50-60 kg/acre. It thrives in sandy loam soil and prefers a dry climate.
Shivalik: Chosen from a Chinese cultivator. The variety grows best in the terai region of Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal. It has a menthol content of 65-70 per cent, a herbage yield of 120 QTL/acre, and an oil yield of 72 kg/acre. However, they are susceptible to fungal infections.
EC-41911 was chosen from the Russian germplasm. The type is water-resistant and erect. It has a menthol content of 70%, a herbage yield of 94.4 QTL/acre, and an oil yield of 50 kg/acre. This variety’s oil is used as a flavouring in food products.
Gomti: This variety has a light red colour. When compared to other types, yield is low. It has a menthol content of 78-80 per cent.
Himalaya: The leaves are larger than those of other varieties. The variety is resistant to rust, blight, mildew, and leaf spot. It has a menthol content of 78-80 per cent, a herbage yield of 160 QTL/acre, and an oil yield of 80-100 kg/acre.
Kosi: It takes 90 days for the variety to mature. The type is resistant to rust, blight, mildew, and leaf spot. It has a menthol content of 75-80% menthol content and an oil yield of 80-100 kg/acre.
Saksham: Developed through tissue culture by cv. Himalaya. It has a menthol content of 80% and an oil yield of 90-100 kg/acre.
Kushal is grown in tissue culture and matures in 90-100 days. The variety is resistant to disease and pests. It grows best in semi-arid-subtropical areas and does well in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. It has a herbage yield of 120-132 QTL/acre and an oil yield of 70-80 kg/acre.
Punjab Spraymint 1: The oil content is 0.57 per cent, with Carvone being the main component. It has a yield of 80-100qtl/acre on average.
Land Preparation
Beds of a suitable size are created for the Mint plantation. Ploughing and harrowing should be done as part of the land preparation process. First, FYM (organic manure) is mixed with soil at a rate of 100-120 QTL/acre. Following FYM, green manuring is added. Moreover, prepare the land with excellent farming equipment like Farmtrac 60 and others.
Sowing
The best time to sow is between December and January. Suckers are planted at a 40 cm end-to-end distance and a 60 cm row-to-row distance. The depth should be around 2-3 cm—sucker transplanting in the main field.
Weeding
Hand weeding and hoeing should be done frequently after the first harvest to keep the field weed-free. Weeds are controlled by applying Sinbar at a rate of 400 g/acre. In addition, weeds are controlled by using organic mulch laced with oxyfluorfen at a 200 mL/acre or a pendimethalin herbicide at a rate of 800 mL/acre. If the weed intensity is high, apply a post-emergence spray of Dalapon @1.6 kg/acre or Gramoxone @1 ltr/acre, as well as a pre-emergence spray of Diuron @800 g/acre or Terbacil @800 g/acre.
Irrigation
6-9 irrigations are required in the summers before the monsoon, depending on the climate and soil. After the monsoon, crops require three irrigations, one in each month (September, October and November). Crops do not require much irrigation during the winter, but single irrigation should be given if there is no rain.
Plant Protection
You have to save your crop from Hairy caterpillars, Cutworms, Red Pumpkin Beetle, Mint Leaf Roller and other pests. Also, protect your crop from Stolon Rot, Fusarium Wilt, Leaf Blight and other diseases.
Harvesting
After 100-120 days, the plants are ready for harvesting. When the lower leaves begin to yellow, it is time to harvest. Harvesting is done with a sickle, and herbs are cut 2-3cm above the ground. The next harvest occurs 80 days after the first harvest. Again, fresh leaves are used in the processing.
Post Harvest
After harvesting, the steam distillation method is used for distillation. The mint oil is then packaged in large steel or aluminium cans. Quick transport is used to keep crop spoilage to a minimum. After processing, mint leaves are used to make a variety of products, such as mint oil and chutneys.
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