Mint growing in Thailand is quite new development. TISTR, which has been active in doing research in essential oil, medicinal plants and spices, introduced the varieties from Japan, India, People's Republic of China, Taiwan, Brazil in 1971-73. After extensive agronomic investigations. It was found that a variety from Japan, called "Ryokubi" produces the highest yield and quality of oil. Supported by technological and economic assistance from TISTR, several factories have been established in many parts of the country, particularly at Changwat Nan in the Northern part where it is now a major economic crop of most farmers.

Mint is easily propagated from its various vegetative parts which include the upright stems, twigs, and the horizontal stems called "stolon" which may be above ground or subterranean. The best menthol of propagation is to lay down sections of the stems horizontally on raised bed of rich, organic soil in moist, shady places. The shoots will sprout from the buds along the stem within am week and will be ready for transplanting in the field in a month time.

In Thailand planting is done in May-June. Nursery beds are needed for 45 days. For transplanting, the young plant are carefully dug out when they have grown to a height of 10 to 15 cm. The transplanting should be performed on cloudy or rainy days, when the soil is very damp. The rows are of 30 x30 cm spacing.

Mint requires considerable amount of water during the entire period of growth, except at harvest time. It cannot withstand a long period of drought. It is, therefore, recommended that mint be grown in the rainy season unless supplemented water can be provided. Rainy season has certain effects on the growth of the mint plants and the yield of oil. Luxuriant growth is expected but the oil percentage of the fresh material is relatively low. On the contrary, mint grown in the dry season through irrigation yields low fresh material but high percentage of oil. Other than rain water, several systems of irrigation are practised in mint cultivation in Thailand, viz. Furrowing, flooding, watering through the use of special equipment, pump, or sprinkler.

Although mint requires a considerable amount of nutrient, chemical fertilizers are not commonly applied by the mint growers since they are costly and the response is comparatively low. Moreover, mint plants are normally grown in the relatively rich soil, or after tobacco planting where the soil was earlier applied with heavy dose of fertilizers.

Organic fertilizers are, however, mostly needed by the mint plants since not only do they provide the plants with the nutrients but also other essential features which are beneficial to the mint plants, namely, improving water holding underground stolons and root systems of the plants. Thus, only the area where organic matters are abundant should be selected for mint cultivation. Several sources of organic fertilizers are available, namely compost, green manure, and farm manure. Among these, farm manure is most popular among mint growers in Thailand.

Since mint requires considerable amount of moisture in the soil, mulching is strongly recommended for its cultivation, especially during the dry season. Several kinds of mulching materials used by the mint growers in Thailand, namely, peanut shell, rice husk, rice straw,and mint spent hay. Mulching not only conserves moisture for the mint plants but also reduces the amount of weeds and provides nutrients after being decomposed.

MentholThai Co.,Ltd.

Import Export co.,Ltd has established since 1973. Menthol Thai Import Export is a name completely committed

to excellence in manufacturing, trading chemical products such as mint products, menthol crystal,peppermint oil,

eucalyptus oil and other essential and aromatic chemicals.