Agronomic viability of mint in succession to cowpea in addition to rooster tree (Calotropis procera) plus cattle manure in an argisol

The successive cultivation of legumes is of paramount importance, since these species are nitrogen-fixing, which is beneficial for the subsequent crop. The objective of this study was was to evaluate the agronomic viability of cultivating mint in succession to cowpea, in addition to rooster tree (Calotropis procera) and bovine manure in an argisol. The study was conducted at the Rafael Fernandes Experimental Farm, belonging to the Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid Region (UFERSA). The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with five treatments and four replicates. The treatments consisted of a combination of five doses of rooster tree (Calotropis procera) plus cattle manure (0.0; 1.0; 2.0; 3.0 and 4.0 kg m-2). Mint (Mentha piperita L.) seedlings were transplanted at a spacing of 0.2 x 0.2 m in four planting rows. The characteristics evaluated were: biomass height, biomass production, number of bunches and dry mass. Maximum mint production (stem + leaf) and exclusive leaf production was observed at doses of 4.0 and 3.5 kg m-2 of silk flower plus cattle manure. The mixture of fertilizers of animal and plant origin contributed significantly to the increase in the evaluated agronomic characteristics of the mint crop, being of great relevance for family farmers who work in this activity. The use of the rooster tree (Calotropis procera) constitutes an alternative option for farmers in the semi-arid region, given the availability of the species throughout the year, which allows its use as organic fertilizer.