Exploiting Mutant Variability in Menthol Mint (Mentha arvensis L) for Improved Agronomic and Quality Traits

A field experiment was conducted to study the performance of mutant lines of menthol mint over their respective checks with Randomized Block Design with three replications. For this purpose, stolons of both parental checks i.e. cv. Kosi and CIM Kranthi and their ten mutant lines were evaluated for growth and yield at Kittur Rani Channamma College of Horticulture, Arabhavi, Belagavi district, University of Horticultural Sciences Bagalkot, Karnataka during 2021-22. The experiment was conducted with five Kosi and CIM Kranthi mutant lines (K20P23, K20P41, K20P26, K20P33 and K20P13) and (CK40P17, CK20P113, CK20P43, CK20P22, CK20P79) along with their parental check. Among different treatments CK20P79 recorded maximum plant height (74.40 cm), plant spread (76.95 cm) and more number of branches i.e. 52.60. Maximum fresh herbage yield per ha (18.41 tonnes) was recorded in the genotype CK20P79. Higher shade dried yield plot was noted in CK20P79 (19.81 kg). K20P33 recorded the highest ratoon yield (18.49 tonnes) per hectare. Total fresh herb was reported in CK20P79 (33.17 ton). Highest oil yield per hectare (121.53 kg) was recorded in CK20P79. Whereas in the ratoon crop, highest oil yield per hectare was recorded in K20P33 (156.54 kg). The maximum content of essential oil was identified in CK20P43 (1%) and lowest was in K20P41 (0.62%).