A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2021–2022 at the Students’ Research Farm, Department of Agriculture, Amritsar, to evaluate the influence of zinc application on soil properties and crop performance in a mint (Mentha arvensis L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) intercropping system under two land configurations. The study followed a split plot design with two main plot treatments (bed and flat planting methods) and four subplot zinc levels: absolute control, RDF + 0 kg Zn ha⁻¹, RDF + 10 kg Zn ha⁻¹, and RDF + 20 kg Zn ha⁻¹, replicated thrice. The soil was sandy loam with a pH of 8.16, indicating alkaline conditions. Results showed that bed planting significantly improved tiller count, dry matter accumulation, grain and straw yield, and the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. Zinc application, particularly RDF + 20 kg Zn ha⁻¹, significantly enhanced plant height, yield parameters, and soil nutrient content, and was statistically at par with RDF + 10 kg Zn ha⁻¹. Test weight, pH, and EC were unaffected by treatments. No significant interaction between land configuration and zinc levels was observed. The study highlights the benefits of integrated zinc nutrition and land configuration in improving soil health and productivity in mint–wheat systems

Soil fertility, Zinc application, Wheat, Mentha

The raised bed planting system performed better than other sowing techniques in terms of wheat and mint growth, yield, and quality. Furthermore, given that mint is not harmful to wheat performance, continuously intercropping it with wheat is an improved method to increase growth, yield, and oil

Akashdeep Kaur, Saurabh Sharma, Manpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Navneet Kaur and Manisha Negi (2025). Effect of Zinc Levels on Soil Physico-Chemical Properties in Mint (Mentha arvensis L.)–Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Intercropping System under Two Land Configurations. Biological Forum, 17(5): 152-157