Yield maximization in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson) through nutrient management and optimizing sowing date

Abstract

In order to maximize yield of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson) by optimizing sowing dates and nutrient management, a field experiment was conducted at Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Jaipur, India during 3 consecutive rabi seasons (2012–13 to 2014–15). The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with four replications. The two main plot treatments comprised date of sowing (D₁: IV week of October; D₂: II week of November) and four sub-plot treatments comprised nutrient applications (T₁: RD-N₄₀P₆₀K₄₀; T₂: RD-N₄₀P₆₀K₄₀+RDgypsum₂₅₀; T₃: RD-N₄₀P₆₀K₄₀+RDgypsum₂₅₀+Zn and T₄: RD-N₄₀P₆₀K₄₀+RDgypsum₂₅₀+Zn + Fe). Result showed that the seed germination, seedling growth and seedling vigor index were better in D₁ sowing over D₂ sowing under control as well treated conditions. Chlorophyll content increased with the application of sulfur, zinc and iron during both the sowings, with greater magnitude in D₂ sowing. Seed yield and its contributing factors viz. days to flowering, plant height, shoot length, leaf area; primary branches per plant, number and length of siliqua were significantly and variably affected by different nutrient combinations. Application of T₃ significantly enhanced the seed and biological yield (23.13 and 74.03 q ha⁻¹) (16.35% and 20.63%) over T₁, respectively, and T₃ was statistically at par with T₄. T₃ also provided the highest benefit:cost (B:C) ratio (2.14) and net returns (₹ 38168 ha⁻¹). Thus, sowing of Indian mustard in the month of October and application of RD-N₄₀P₆₀K₄₀+RDgypsum₂₅₀+Zn (T₃) is recommended to maximize its seed yield along with higher B:C ratio and returns under semi-arid conditions of India.

Keywords:

• Indian mustard
• micronutrients
• seedling vigor
• seed yield
• sowing date

Acknowledgements

This research was a part of Seed Physiology, Testing and Storage section of technical programme 2012–13, 2013–14 and 2014–15 of AICRP on Seed (Crops), ICAR-IISS, Mau, U.P. and conducted at Seed Technology Research, Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute (S.K.N. Agriculture University, Jobner), Durgapura, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this article.