Profitability, Productivity and Nutrient Use Efficiency of Double Zero Indian Mustard (Brassica Juncea L.) as Influenced by Different Nutrients

Abstract

A field experiment entitled “Profitability, productivity and nutrient use efficiency of Double Zero Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) as influenced by different nutrients” was conducted at Crop Research Centre, SVPUAT, Modipuram, Meerut. The experiment comprised of 12 treatments of various nutrient combinations and were tested in Randomised Block Design (RBD). The treatments comprised of Control (T1), 100% N (T2), 100% NP (T3), 100% NPK (T4), 125%NPK (T5), 100% NPK+ S@40kg ha-1 (T6), 100%NPK+ Zn@5kg ha-1 (T7), 100%NPK + B@1kg ha-1 (T8), 75% NPK+ VC@ 2t ha-1 (T9), 75%NPK+FYM@ 6t ha-1 (T10), 75%NPK + VC@ 2t ha-1+ Azotobacter (T11) and 75% NPK + FYM@6t ha-1 + Azotobacter (T12). Indian mustard cultivar Pusa Mustard 31(PDZM -31) was grown during winter (rabi) season of 2020-21 with a view to compare the production potential under different nutrient management practices and also to find out the economic viability of this cultivar for soil quality. Results revealed that treatment T11 (75% NPK + VC@2t ha-1 + Azotobacter) and T12 (75% NPK + FYM@6t ha-1 + Azotobacter) exhibited significant influence on the growth, yield attributes and yields of mustard as compared to the application of 100% NPK alone. Significant improvement in growth parameters viz. plant height, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation as well as crop growth rate, relative growth rate, yield attributes and yields was recorded with the application of T11 and T12.The maximum gross return was obtained in T12 followed by T11 The highest net return was obtained in T5 followed by T12, T6 and T11, while minimum gross return and net return was obtained in T1. Application of 75% NPK + FYM@6t ha-1 + Azotobacter (T12) and 75%NPK + VC@ 2t ha-1+ Azotobacter (T11) recorded higher gross return and net return but the B:C ratio was lower due to higher cost of vermicompost. Highest B: C ratio (4.23) was obtained in T6 and T5. It can be concluded that to obtain higher seed yield of Indian mustard cv. Pusa Mustard 31 and sustain soil health, the application of 75% NPK + FYM@ 6t ha-1 + Azotobacter will be most beneficial followed by 75%NPK + VC@ 2t ha-1+ Azotobacter and 100% NPK+ S@40kg ha-1.