عنوان مجله
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Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
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چکیده
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The aim of this study was to answer the question of whether foliar application of amino acids along with chemical and
organic fertilizers can be effective for peppermint growth characteristics, nutrient concentration, and essential oil content
and composition. A split-plot experiment based on the randomized complete block design with three replications was used.
The main factors included the following treatments: no fertilization (control), amino acid (AA), chemical fertilizer (CF),
AA + CF, vermicompost (V), V + AA, farmyard manure (FYM), and FYM + AA. The sub-factor was represented by the
first (H1) and second harvest (H2). The morphological traits and chlorophyll index values increased in peppermint after
application of CF + AA and V + AA. The highest dry matter yield (274.3 gm−2), essential oil (EO) content (2.56%), and
essential oil yield (EO) (7.04 gm−2) were obtained with V + AA at the first harvest. The highest concentrations of N, P, and
Fe were observed with V + AA; those of K and Zn with FYM+ AA; that of Mn with CF + AA at the second harvest. At both
harvests, menthol, menthone, 1,8-cineole, neo-menthol, and δ-terpineol were the major components of peppermint essential
oil. Menthol showed the highest value at H1 with FYM + AA (32.0%) and at the H2 with V + AA (38.4%). The correlation
between the menthol content and the essential oil (EO) percentage and yield was significantly positive. The application of
organic fertilizers such as vermicompost and farmyard manure integrated with amino acids can be a valuable alternative to
chemical inputs and suitable treatment for improving the essential oil quantity and quality in peppermint
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