1. Ocimum
Ocimum sanctum
Green type (Sri Tulsi) is the most common
Purple type (Krishna Tulsi) bears purple leaves and is
preferred in the trade for its higher potency of the
drug.
Ocimum basilicum
Var - Cim-Soumya, Vikar Sudha
Chemical Constituents - Methyl chavicol, linalool
2. Soil
Rich loam to
Well drained soils aid in better vegetative growth.
Water logged conditions cause root rot
Climate
Tropical and subtropical climate (Altitude up to 900 m)
Long days and high temperatures have been found
favourable for the plant growth and oil production.
It flourishes well under
The plant can be grown under
The plant is moderately
3. Land preparation
land - fine tilth
plots of convenient sizes for irrigation.
15t/ha of FYM
Propagation
Seeds. Since seeds are likely to deteriorate, the growers have to
take fresh seeds from the pedigree stock.
Nursery raising
About 200-300 g / ha.
Depth of sowing - 2 cm
After sowing, mixture of FYM and soil is thinly spread over the
seeds and irrigate with sprinkler-hose.
Germination - 8-10 days
Seedlings are ready in about 6 weeks time, 4-5 leaf stage.
2% urea on the nursery plants 15 - 20 days before transplanting
helps in raising very healthy plants.
4. Transplanting
40 x 40 cm, 40 x 50 cm and 50 x 30 cm
Irrigate immediately after transplanting.
Seedlings will establish well by the time of the second
irrigation. At this stage gap filling and replacement of the poor
plants is done.
Fertilizers
Optimum dose - 120 kg N and 60 kg P2O5/ha.
Half the dose of N and the entire dose of P2O5 are given as a
basal dose.
Remaining N is applied in after the 1st & 2ndcutting
Micronutrients Co and Mn at 50 and 100 ppm respectively
increase the oil yield significantly.
5. Irrigation
In summer - 3 irrigations / month
remaining period - it should be done as and when required,
rainy season - no irrigation
12-15 irrigations / year
Weeding
first - one month after planting,
second - 2 months after planting
no further weeding is required as the plants become bushy
Hoeing & earthed-up- two months after planting
6. Harvesting
The crop is harvested when it is in full bloom.
The first harvest is obtained 90-95 days
Then, harvested at every 65-75 days intervals.
Harvesting - bright, sunny days in order to obtain good
quality oil .
It is not desirable to harvest the crop if it has rained the
previous day.
The crop should be cut 15-20 cm above ground level.
The harvested produce may be allowed to wilt in the field for
4-5 hours to reduce the moisture content & bulkiness
10 t/ha of fresh herbage / year.
7. Distillation of oil
The harvested produce is usually distilled in its fresh form.
However, the oil quality and yield do not diminish up to 6-8 hours
after harvest. Any further delay may cause considerable loss in
yield and quality of oil.
Steam-distillation is found to be superior to water distillation
The whole herb contains 0.1 to 0.23% essential oil
The yield of oil varies with the type, season and place of origin
oil-yield - 10-23 kg/ha
8. Davana, Artemisia pallens
Asteraceae
Leaves and flowers contain the essential oil and is used in high
grade perfumes and cosmetics.
Essential oil - brown, viscous liquid with a rich, fruity odour
Oil contains esters (65%)
India has the monopoly of production and export of davana
oil in the world.
Area and Production
Commercially cultivated in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala,
Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in area of about 1000 ha with
an annual production of 8 tonnes oil.
In Tamil Nadu, it is grown in Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri,
Cumbum, Bodi regions.
9. Soil
Sandy loam to medium black soil.
Fertile, well drained sandy loam soil which is rich in
organic matter is ideal.
Climate
The oil content in the plant was maximum when the crop
was grown during the winter season
Crop is grown for the production of oil it should be
planted during the first week of November.
Few light showers with moderate winter conditions and
no frost is conducive to the good growth
10. Nursery raising
As the seeds lose viability rapidly, only the seeds from
the previous season should be used
1.5 kg seed /ha , nursery beds - 2m long x 1m width
FYM @ 10kg per bed.
Seeds may be sown either dry or after wetting
Seeds are thoroughly mixed with sand @ 4-5 times their
volume. Water is added so that the sand is sufficiently
wet. It is then tied in a cloth bag and stored in a warm
place for 48 hours.
Germination - 2-3 days
Hand watering for 7-10 days after which irrigate directly
though the water channels.
11. Dry seeds - mix with sand in the ratio of 1: 10 and broadcast
homogeneously.
Thin layer of sand is then spread uniformly to cover the seeds
and the beds are hand watered twice a day.
Germination - 4-5 days
Raised nursery beds which will help in reducing the incidence
of damping off disease
Foliar spray of 0.1%urea at weekly intervals 3 weeks after
sowing to boost their growth
The seedling will be ready for transplanting in about 6-8 weeks
from the date of sowing. At this stage, the seedlings should be
about 10 cm tall.
12. Spacing - 15 cm x 7.5cm
Manures and Fertilizers
Responds well to the application of manures and fertilizers
Well decomposed FYM - 6t/ha
120 : 40 : 40 NPK kg/ha
N is applied in three equal split doses. The first dose is given at 10
days after transplanting and the subsequent two doses at 15 days
intervals thereafter.
Weeding
2-3 hand weeding
Growth regulator
GA at 200 ppm after 5 weeks of transplanting increase the
herbage and essential oil yield
13. Harvesting
The crop starts flowering after 110 - 115 days of sowing.
In order to obtain the maximum essential oil yield, plants
should be harvested when about 50% of them have
come to the flowering stage. This is usually at the end
of February or in the 1st week of March, about 120-
125 days after sowing.
Harvesting is done by cutting the plants from base.
16. Origin : South Africa
Varieties
Algerian, Reunion, Sel 8 (IIHR), Kodaikanal
1, Egyptian
Hemanti,Bipuli and Kunti released by
CIMAP
17. • Highly priced for its strong rose-like
odour (rose Scented geranium).
• The chief constituent of the oil are
geraniol and citronellol. The pure
scented geranium oil is almost a perfume
by itself and blends well with all other
perfumes.
• It is widely used in scenting soaps and
for the isolation of rhodinal which forms
part of most high-grade perfumes.
18. Soil and climate
Well drained soil rich in organic matter and acidic
in reaction with a pH 5.5 to 6.0 is suitable.
An elevation ranging from 1000 - 2400 m
Evenly distributed annual rainfall of 100 to 150 cm
It can be grown in temperate, subtropical and tropical
climates. It thrives best in subtropical climates with a
temperature ranging from 5°C to 23°C.
Temperatures below 3°C will kill the plant. Warm
winters coupled with mild summer temperatures - Ideal.
It grows equally well at much lower altitudes and tolerates
higher temperatures up to 43° C in the plains when
grown under irrigated conditions
19. Propagation
Stem cuttings
Cuttings of about 10 - 15 cm from current season growth
with a well formed crown of leaves with 3 - 4 nodes
and terminal bud.
Dipping basal portion of the cuttings in 200 ppm of IBA
to increase the rooting efficiency.
Cuttings planted in raised nursery beds will be ready for
planting with in 60 days.
The cuttings are planted closely at a spacing of 8-10 cm.
Before planting, the cut ends are dipped in 0.1%
Benlate solution. Before root initiation, temporary
shade is provided and the beds are watered regularly.
The nursery is sprayed with a 0.2% urea solution at
biweekly intervals and the cuttings are ready for
transplanting.
20. Planting
field preparation - fine tilth
Rooted cuttings of 2 months
spacing of 45 x 45 cm during April - May.
Manuring
FYM 25 t/ha
NPK 25:150:100 kg/ha are applied as basal.
Remaining 125 kg N/ha in 5 equal splits is applied at
every 2 months interval.
During June-July of every year, ZnSo4 20 kg/ha and
Boron 10 kg/ha are applied.
Irrigation
Geranium is usually grown as a rainfed crop.
Irrigation during dry periods increases the yield.
21. Irrigation intervals of 7 to 10 days, depending on the weather
condition. Though scented geranium tolerates short periods
of drought, water-logging must be completely avoided.
After cultivation
1. Weeding, mulching
2. Deep soil forking - around the plants from second
year onwards to improve the growth of more suckers.
3. Uprooting and burning of diseased plants throughout
the life cycle of the plant.
Pruning
Pruning of the bushes is necessary when the bush shows
signs of decline. Branches are cut back leaving 15 - 20 cm
once in 4 – 5 yrs
22. Intercropping
Intercropping of cowpea or black gram is
beneficial during the log phase and they do not
affect the Scented geranium crop.
Plant protection
Nematode
To control the nematodes (Meloidogyne
hapla) in nursery, apply Carbofuran at
2 kg a.i./ha once in 6 months in June and
December.
Diseases
Wilt
Drench with Carbendazim 1 g/lit at monthly
intervals.
23. Harvest and distillation
In the year of planting only one harvest can be
done at 7 - 8 months and
thereafter 3 or 4 harvests can be done in a year.
The tender tip portion with 6 - 12 nodes
constitutes the materials for harvest.
The harvested material is withered in shade for
2- 3 hours and distilled.
Yield
Herbage : 20 - 25 t/ha
Oil yield : 15 - 20 kg/ha
26. Uses
Mentha oil : white crystalline needle shaped substance
obtained by a series of fractional distillation
Menthol : used as….
Flavouring agent
Coolant
Carminative
Spent grass : manufacture of….
Hard boards
Papers
Handicrafts
27.
28. Mentha arvensis (Japanese mint)
• This is a downy, perennial herb, spreading by root-stocks which
creep along the ground or just under the surface and root at the
nodes.
• Japanese mint is a primary source of menthol. The fresh leaves
contain 0.4-6.0% oil.
• The main constituents of the oil are menthol (65-75%), menthane (7-
10%) and menthyl acetate (12-15%) and terpenes (pipene, limonene
and camphene).
• The menthol content of the oil varies, depending on the climatic
conditions. Generally
• Japanese mint is used in the flavouring of a large number of
pharmaceutical and oral preparations like toothpastes, dental
creams, confectionery, beverages and other items like tobacco,
cigarettes and paan masala.
• Medicinally, it is an' excellent carminative and gastric stimulant.
When applied externally, it acts as a mild analgesic.
32. World mint
• Mint is believed to have originated in the Mediterranean
basin and, from there, spread to the rest of the world by
both natural and artificial means.
• USA is the major producer of
and has been
naturalized in eastern USA.
• It grows successfully in the temperate and subtropical
region of India.
• In India, Japanese mint is grown mainly in the Tarai
region, extending to parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plains
and parts of Punjab in North-western India.
33. Supply demand
• Japanese mint cultivated in 1,25,000 ha
• India exported 8000 MT of mint oil
• Annual production of 15,000 ton of mint oil
• Annual export through mint oil is Rs.100 crores
• Pepper mint oil: 1500 MT
• Spear mint oil: 250 MT
• Bergamot oil: 20 MT
34. Utilization
• Among various types of mint,
are used as flavouring agent, in mouth washes,
tooth paste, different pharmaceutical preparations.
stry
and flavouring industry
• While Bergamot mint oil is restricted only in cosmetic
industry
• Mint came into commercial cultivation since 1870 and
Japan was the first country to raise it on a large scale.
35. DMO and menthol
• Mint oil obtained by steam distillation of leaves
• Mint oil is the basic raw material required for menthol
manufacture
• The oil is serially subjected to fractional chilling to get needle
shaped menthol crystals
• The menthal liquor left over is sold as dementholised oil
• The oil is further subjected to chemical treatments through
hydrolysis and fractionally chilled again to obtain menthol
crystals
• These crystals are further purified by elaborate crystallization
to get bold crystals of high purity
• Yield of menthol is 60%
36. World menthol market
• World market for menthol is estimated at
18,000-22,000 ton annually
37. Improved varieties in Japanese mint
Himalaya (MAS-I): It is a selection released by the CIMAP
Lucknow. The yield of oil is around 290-293 kg/ha. This variety is
highly resistant to rust, leaf-spot and powdery mildew diseases.
Kalka (Hyb-77): It is a tall, vigorous variety evolved by the ClMAP
Lucknow, It is highly resistant to leaf-spot, powdery mildew and
rust diseases.
Shivalik: It was introduced from China and released by the
CIMAP, Lucknow. The plant has a compact, bushy growth with
thick, leathery leaves.
Ec41911: It is less affected by rain, rootrot and aphids and is
reported to yield 236.5 glha of herbage and 12.2 kg/ha of oil, with
a menthol content 70%.
38. Improved varieties in Mentha piperita (pepper mint)
• Pepper mint is a short spreading plant with branching,
underground rootstocks and grows to a height of 45 to 90 cm
(l.5 to 3 ft).
• The fresh herb contains essential oils ranging from 0.4 to 0.6%.
• The constituents of peppermint oil are almost similar to
Japanese mint oil.
• However, the menthol content is lower in peppermint oil and
varies between 35-50%.
• The other constituents are menthyl acetate (14-15%), menthone
(9-25%) menthofuran and terpenes like pinene and limonene.
• Variety: Kukrail: is a high yielding variety developed and
released by the CIMAP Lucknow.
39. Improved varieties in M. citrata (Bergamot mint)
• Bergamot mint is another short growing plant growing up to 30-
60 cm height, with decumbent branches and erect ends.
• The leaves are 1.25-5.0 cm long, thin, bronzy-green, petiolate;
smooth. M. citrata is a hybrid between M.aquatica and M.viridis.
• Linalool and linalyl acetate are the main constituents of
Bergamot mint oil.
• The oil is used directly in perfumes, cosmetic preparations like
scents, soaps, after-shave lotions and colognes also contain
this oil.
• The improved variety in Bergamot mint is Kiran which is a
mutant selection developed by the CIMAP, Lucknow. It has a
high oil content and quality. It has an yield potential of 239
kg/ha of oil with 48% linalool.
40. Constituents of mint oil
• Though menthol is the main constituent in mint oil, it
contains as many as 17 substances in various
proportions including the isomers of menthol which are
as follows :
• (1) L-Menthol; (2) Neo-menthol; (3) Neo-iso-menthol; (4)
Iso-menthol; (5) Menthone; (6) Iso-menthone; (7) a-
Pinene; (8) B-Pinene; (9) L-Limonene; (10) Cineole; (11)
Ethylamyl carbinol; (12) Iso-pulegol; (13) Neo-iso-
pulegol; (14) Piperitone; (15) B-Hexenol; (16) Furfural;
and (17) Camphene.
41. Packing of menthol
• Menthol is marketed in almost all sizes of containers
from 25 kg packs to 2 gm packs. Most popular packs
are 5 kg, 1 kg, 500 gm and 100 gm.
• Menthol is packed in sealed or unsealed plastic or PVC
bags, this being packing of choice. Rarely paper bags
are used, which are not desirable.
• These filled bags are then packed in printed or unprinted
sealed or unsealed tin containers.
• Occasionally cardboard boxes are used which again are
unsatisfactory for a variety of reasons.
42. Menthol Production
• As per the figures obtained from DGTD, the total
licensed installed capacity for the manufacture of
menthol in India is 496 tonnes annually.
• Some of the companies possessing license to menthol
production are
• RHL, Mumbai.
• Bhavana, Baroda.
• Calcutta Chemicals, Calcutta.
• S.H.Kelkar & Co., Mumbai.
• Camphor & Allied Products, Bareilly.
• There are hundreds of small-scale menthol
manufacturers in India.
43. Products of mint
No Name of the product Description Fraction Percentage
1 Mentha oil (Japanese
mint)
Slight yellow transparent L-Menthol 68%
2 Menthol bold crystals Snow white, super dry, transparent L-Menthol 99.6%
3 Menthol medium
crystals
Snow white, super dry, transparent L-Menthol 99.4%
4 Menthol flakes Dry white, transparent L-Menthol 98%
5 Menthol flakes melted Transparent L-Menthol 97%
6 De-mentholised pepper
mint oil Rectified
Water white, transparent L-Menthol 35%
7 Liquid menthol de-
mentholised pepper
mint oil Rectified
Water white, transparent L-Menthol 75%
8 De-mentholised oil
(DMO) crude
Slight yellow, transparent L-Menthol 25%
9 Menthone Water white L-Menthol 99%
10 Mint terpene Water white transparent L-Menthol 98%
44. Soil
M.arvensis grows and spreads through numerous underground
runners (suckers or rhizomes), hence, it requires for optimum
development a deep moist soil which is well ventilated and loose
enough in texture so that growth of roots will not be impeded.
Although it has been successfully grown on different types of
soils, it has been found that thin, light soils that dry out quickly
and heavy clays are not suitable for menthe culture.
A fertile, well-drained, sandy loam soil gives very good yield.
It has been grown on neutral or slightly alkaline soils having a
pH as high as 8.
But the most desirable is the one which is slightly acidic – a
range of pH6 to pH7 is preferred.
45. Climate
• M. arvensis, will grow well over a considerable
range of temperate climatic conditions.
• Low altitude tropical or semitropical areas are not
considered favourable, however, because the plant
is perennial and would have a dormant winter
period.
• A climate which has been seen to ensure a plentiful
Mentha crop is the one with adequate and regular
rainfall during the period of its growth and good
sunshine during its harvesting.
46. Propagation and planting
Propagation materials : Suckers, Runners and growing tips
Jan-Feb planting : suckers used
Other months : runners used
500-600 Kg of suckers / ha.
Suckers – keep in moist shady place
Spacing – 60 x 15 cm (ridges & furrow)
Irrigation : fortnight interval (weekly twice during summer)
47. Cultivation
• The land is prepared to fine tilth by ploughing, harrowing
and planking.
• During winter season, furrows are made at 60 cm
spacing and suckers are planted 7-10 cm deep, end to
end @ 300-400 kg per hectare and covered with soil.
• The field is irrigated immediately after planting.
48. Interculture-Irrigations
• The field is to be kept moist by frequent irrigations till suckers sprout.
• Subsequently the crop is irrigated at 7-10 days intervals.
• Weeding is very important for the first 75 days in this crop and the
field is to be kept weed free by repeated hand seedings.
• Pendi-methalin and Diuron at 0.75 kg/ha as pre emergence and
propanil at 1.75 kg/ha as postemergence herbicides effectively
control weeds.
• This can be profitably intercropped in sugarcane
49. Fertilizers
• 10 tonnes of FYM,
• 180 kg urea, - 2 splits
• 500 kg single super-phosphate, and
• 100 kg muriate of potash per hectare are applied at the time of
planting.
• 180 kg urea is top dressed 75 days after planting and 180 kg urea is
given after first harvest.
50. Harvesting
• Normally two crops of Mentha are taken.
• The first crop should be harvested before the onset of the
monsoon (May/June) and the second well after the monsoon is
over (September / October). Some farmers take the third
cutting also in (October / November).
• The harvest of M. arvensis should take place when the plants
are as nearly as possible in the full-bloom stage.
• The flowers of menthe develop progressively and there comes
a time when the field as a whole shows a maximum amount of
bloom and that is the proper time to harvest the crop.
• This normally happens after about 120 days of its planting.
• Care should be taken that the crop is harvested in sunshine.
• In case of rainfall, the harvesting should be undertaken after
the crop has had at least two days of sunshine.
51. Wilting
• It is necessary that the harvested crop should be dried in
the open for atleast 1 to 2 days (depending upon the
weather conditions).
• Collection of herb in large bundles should be avoided
unless it has been properly dried.
• Green herb when collected in a heap (or transported by
bullock-cart truck) results in a considerable less of oil,
because heat is generated within the heap.
• The crop after harvesting should be left spread out in the
field for one or two days before collecting it and then
should be transported to the distillation plant.
52. Yield
• Herb yield - 24-30 tonnes
• Oil yield - 120-150 kg/ha
• Recovery of essential oil ( Herb) - 0.5-0.8%.
• In Andhra Pradesh, the crop may give 3 harvests and higher
herb and oil yields.
• The price of the oil ranges from Rs.180-350 per kg.
53. Abstract of yield and cost benefits in major mint species
Japanese
mint
(Mentha
arvensis)
Peppermint
(Mentha
piperita)
Bergamot
mint
(Mentha
citrata)
Spearmint
(Mentha
spicata)
Scotch
spearmint
(Mentha
cardiaca)
Number of
harvests
2-3 2-3 2-3 2-3 2-3
Herb yield t/ha 30-40 30-45 30-40 35-40 35-40
Oil recovery % 0.3-0.4 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.4 0.5-0.6 0.8-1.0
Oil yield kg/ha 120-150 100-110 120-150 200-225 200-225
Price of oil per kg Rs.400-450 Rs.250-300 Rs. 180-200 Rs. 150-180 Rs. 150-180
Gross income
Rs./ha
Rs.48000-
67500
Rs.25000-
33000
Rs.21600-
30000
Rs.30000-
40500
Rs.30000-
40500
Cost of
cultivation Rs./ha
Rs.10000 10000 10000 10000 10000
Net profit Rs./ha 38000-
57500
15000-
23000
11600-
20000
20000-
30500
20000-
30500
