Comparison of the effect of Rosa damascena compost, animal manure, and chemical fertilizer on growth and biochemical characteristics of mint plant

Sustainable agriculture increasingly relies on innovative fertilization strategies, including the use of agricultural residues, to improve crop yield and quality. This study investigates the comparative effects of agricultural residues and chemical fertilizers on the growth and biochemical properties of two mint species, Mentha piperita (MPi) and Mentha pulegium (MPu), with a focus on the novel use of Rosa damascena compost. A factorial experiment was designed with eight fertilization treatments, which included individual applications of 2% Rosa damascena compost (CR2), 2% animal manure (M2), and chemical fertilizer (F) alone, as well as various combinations of these treatments, specifically 1% Rosa damascena compost (CR1) and 1% animal manure (M1) in conjunction with other treatments. The combined treatments included CR1×M1, CR2×F, M2×F, and CR1×M1×F. The findings demonstrated that the MPi variety had superior growth characteristics compared to MPu. In particular, the CR1×M1×F treatment resulted in notable enhancements in plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight, with increases of 63%, 60%, and 56%, respectively, in comparison to the control group. The CR1×M1×F and M2×F treatments showed the greatest output of essential oil, highlighting the potential of organic fertilizers to improve both the growth and production of essential oil in mint farming. The nutrient levels showed a rise in both cultivars under all fertilizer treatments, except for CR2. Overall, the MPi variety, especially when subjected to the CR1×M1×F treatment, exhibited greater growth and produced a higher amount of essential oil compared to MPu. This emphasizes its potential for increased output in sustainable agricultural methods. •Mentha piperita consistently outperforms Mentha pulegium in both growth and essential oil yield when subjected to various fertilization treatments.•Utilizing agricultural residues, particularly Rosa damascena compost, in combination with chemical fertilizers significantly boosts the growth and essential oil production of Mentha piperita compared to Mentha pulegium.•The 1% Rosa damascena compost ×2% animal manure × chemical fertilizer treatment resulted in remarkable increases in plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight, highlighting the effectiveness of organic fertilization strategies in mint cultivation.