Enhancing potted oregano (Origanum vulgare) production under open cultivation through optimized potting media and nutrient inputs

AbstractOregano (Origanum vulgare), a perennial herb valued for its culinary, aromatic and medicinal applications, is gaining popularity in urban and peri-urban gardening systems for its culinary use and therapeutic benefits. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of different potting media and nutrient inputs on the growth and yield of potted oregano, aiming to optimize pot herb production. The experiment was carried out for three seasons of 2021–2022 using a factorial completely randomized design. Factor A consisting of three potting substrates - S1: Red soil + FYM + sand (1:1:1 v/v), S2: Arka Fermented Cocopeat (AFC) + vermicompost (1:1 v/v), and S3: AFC alone. Factor B comprised of four nutrient combinations - N1: 128:24:144 ppm NPK, N2: 96:18:108 ppm NPK, N3: Jeevamrutha @ 50 ml/pot, and N4: Jeevamrutha @ 100 ml/pot which were applied at weekly intervals. Growth and yield parameters including plant height, number of branches, spread, number of leaves, and fresh and dry weight were recorded. The results revealed that the substrate S2 (AFC + vermicompost) significantly improved plant height (15.25 cm), number of branches (16.95), number of leaves (176.67 leaves/plant) and (6.65 g dry herb plant yield). The nutrient treatment N3 (Jeevamrutha @ 50 ml/pot) enhanced fresh (22.71 g) and dry (6.81 g) biomass accumulation. Interaction effects further indicated that combining organic substrate AFC + vermicompost with Jeevamrutha (S2N3) led to superior plant performance compared to conventional soil-based media. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing substrate and nutrient inputs for efficient and high-quality oregano production in potted systems, offering a viable approach for urban gardeners and small-scale herb farming.