Peppermint response to nitrogen fertilizer in an arid climate

A nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate study was conducted for two‐years to determine optimal response of irrigated peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) ‘Murray Mitcham’ in an arid climate. The first year, 1993, had a wetter‐than‐normal spring, while the second, 1994, had above‐average temperature. Optimum dry matter yield occurred at N fertilizer rates of 245 and 188 lb/A, and optimum oil yield rates of 245 and 252 lb/A, for 1993 and 1994, respectively. Fertilizer rates agree with previous unpublished studies on peppermint at various locations. Oil constituents indicated a more mature oil for the N‐stressed peppermint.