Enhancing system productivity of transplanted celery (<i>Apium graveolens </i>L.) through Mentha intercropping

Intercropping of medicinal and aromatic plants with seed spices offers a promising approach for enhancing land-use efficiency, system productivity, and farm profitability under intensive agricultural systems. A field experiment entitled ‘Enhancing system productivity of transplanted celery (Apium graveolens L.) through Mentha intercropping’ was conducted during 2019–20 and 2020–21 at PAU, Ludhiana. The treatments comprised sole celery and celery intercropped with menthol mint (Mentha arvensis) varieties Kosi and CIM Kranti, and peppermint (Mentha piperita), both under direct planting and transplanting, in a 1:1 row proportion. Growth parameters of celery, including plant height, number of branches per plant, and umbels per plant were not significantly affected by intercropping during both years, indicating good compatibility between celery and mentha species. Seed and straw yields of celery under intercropping systems remained statistically at par with the sole crop, confirming that intercropping did not compromise celery productivity. Intercropped mentha produced substantial herb and oil yields, with menthol mint var. CIM Kranti consistently recording the highest herb yield and oil yield across both seasons. Equivalent celery yield (ECY) was significantly higher under all intercropping systems compared to sole celery, with increases ranging from 24.7 to 39.3% during 2019–20 and from 15.9 to 29.4% during 2020–21. The results clearly demonstrate that celery intercropped with menthol mint var. CIM Kranti (1:1) is a biologically efficient, stable, and economically viable intercropping system. The study supports the integration of medicinal and aromatic plants into seed spice-based cropping systems for sustainable intensification and higher overall productivity.