Comparative Evaluation of Natural and Organic Fertilizers Versus NPK on the Growth and Productivity of Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.)

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the effects of various natural and organic fertilizers in comparison with chemical NPK fertilizer on the growth and productivity of local peppermint plants (Mentha piperita L.) under controlled cultivation conditions in the herbarium of the Faculty of Science, Sebha University, during the spring season of 2022. Six fertilization treatments were applied: compost tea, baker’s yeast, rice solution, coffee solution, NPK fertilizer, and a control group without fertilization. Each treatment was replicated three times. Growth parameters, including total plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight, were measured. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at a significance level of 0.05. The results revealed statistically significant differences among treatments, with compost tea and NPK fertilizer showing superior performance in enhancing plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight compared to other treatments. Compost tea recorded the highest average plant height (60 cm), while the highest dry weight was observed in the NPK treatment (34.07 g). In contrast, rice and coffee treatments exhibited minimal impact on growth indicators. The study recommends minimizing the use of chemical fertilizers due to their environmental and health implications, and advocates for the adoption of environmentally safe organic fertilizers. It also emphasizes the importance of agricultural awareness regarding the role of natural fertilization in improving production quality and soil sustainability.