Effects of Different Irrigation Levels and Magnetized Water on Growth and Yield of Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.)

Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) is used for medicinal and food purposes. Its cultivation has economic importance, due to its ability to produce and store essential oil. This research was conducted to study the effect of deficit irrigation and magnetized water on yield and yield components of peppermint in the experimental research greenhouse of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, during 2018-19. We used a factorial experiment based on the completely randomized design with 3 replications. Irrigation levels consisted of 4 levels (100%, 85%, 70%, and 55% of plant water requirements) and magnetic field factors consisted of 3 levels (0, 0.3, and 0.6 teslas). The result showed that decrease of the water requirement by 15%, 30%, and 45% resulted in reduction of shoot fresh weights by 11.2%, 15.1%, and 36.5%, respectively. However, irrigation with magnetized water (0.3 teslas) under deficit irrigation levels (85%, 70%, and 55% of plant water requirements) resulted in the increase of shoot dry weights by 19.5%, 24.7%, and 66.4%, respectively. In general, the use of magnetic water under water stress enhanced plant growth and improved dry and wet shoot yield in peppermint compared to the control treatment under deficit irrigation conditions.