Agronomic Characteristics of Mint Fertilized with a Mixture of Cattle Manure with Hairy Woodrose (Merremia aegyptia L.) in a Soil Classified as Oxisol

Abstract

Background: Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is a widely used aromatic and medicinal herb, cultivated across Brazil, especially by family farmers using organic waste for soil fertilization. Hairy woodrose (Merremia aegyptia) serves as a valuable organic nutrient source, enhancing soil fertility in semi-arid regions. Aims: The use of a mixture of organic fertilizer sources is of paramount importance for the full development of horticultural and medicinal plants that family farmers cultivate using fertilizer sources present within the cultivation areas, such as hairy woodrose (Merremia aegyptia L.), which is very common in the semi-arid region of Brazil. Place of Study: The study was conducted at the experimental farm of Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid Region, Brazil, located at 5°03′37″ S latitude and 37°23′50″ W longitude, at an elevation of 72 m above sea level. Study Design and Methodology: A randomised complete block design was employed, comprising five treatments with four replicates. The treatments involved the application of five rates (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 kg m⁻²) of a mixture of hairy woodrose (Merremia aegyptia L.) and cattle manure. Evaluated Characteristics of Mint: The peppermint cultivar utilised was Mentha piperita, commonly cultivated by family farmers in household gardens. The evaluated parameters included plant height, biomass yield, number of bunches, and dry mass. Conclusions: Optimal agronomic performance of mint was achieved at an application rate of 5.0 kg m⁻² of the mixture of hairy woodrose (Merremia aegyptia L.) and cattle manure, yielding 2.02 kg m⁻² of biomass and 20.08 bunches m⁻². The combined use of organic fertilisers of both plant and animal origin is of considerable importance for the sustainable production of medicinal plants by family farmers.