Influence of Substrates and Hydrogels on Spearmint (Mentha spicata) Growth and Flowering in a Rooftop Garden

Agricultural hydrogels improve water retention in a variety of substrates. However, little is known about their impact on herb cultivation rooftop farming. To identify the optimal substrate and hydrogel concentration for growth flowering spearmint ( Mentha spicata ) gardens, coir perlite were mixed three different ratios 80% to 20% (v/v; referred as C 4 P 1 ), 50% (C or ). Hydrogels added into substrates at concentrations including 0 (control), 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 kg⋅m –3 . Substrate composition significantly affected < 0.001) 0.05) properties spearmint. The addition resulted significant increase parameters during dry season. plants grown , which has highest ratio coir, displayed inferior compared with those other two rainy Therefore, perlite-based substrate, such hydrogel, provides suitable environment gardens regardless seasonal rainfall patterns.