Effect of different levels and sources of sulphur on nutrients availability in soil, growth and yield of mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to assess the “Effect of different levels and sources of sulphur on nutrients availability in soil, growth and yield of mustard (Brassica juncea L.)” at crop research centre of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut (U.P.), during rabi season of 2020-21. Experimental soil was sandy clay loam in texture, low in available nitrogen, organic carbon and available sulphur and medium in available phosphorus, potassium and slightly alkaline in reaction. The thirteen treatments consisting application of different levels (20 and 40 kg S ha-1) and sources of sulphur (SSP, K2SO4, polyhalite, and elemental sulphur) were tested in RBD with three replications. Pusa Mustard-31 was grown as a test variety. The results reveal that sulphur application improved the growth parameters, yield attributing characters and yield of mustard significantly. Among the different sources significant improvement in growth parameters viz. plant height, number of branches plant-1, dry matter accumulation (g plant-1), yield attributes, protein content, oil content, oil yield, protein yield, 1000-seed weight, nutrient content and uptake, seed yield was found with the application of RDF+40 kg S ha-1 through polyhalite. This treatment yielded significantly higher (25.04 q ha-1) than the remaining treatments. The total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur uptake by mustard crop (11.54, 34.33, 126.87 and 26.70 kg ha-1) respectively was also highest with the application of RDF+40 kg S ha-1. The application of RDF+40 kg S ha-1 through polyhalite resulted in to higher oil content (40.69%), oil yield (1018.88 kg ha-1), protein content (22.21%), protein yield (556.20 kg ha-1). With exception of available sulphur in soil, availability of P, K and S in soil was comparatively higher in T8. Soil pH and organic carbon in soil differ non-significantly among the different treatments while electrical conductivity of soil raised significantly. On the basis of economics, the application of 40 kg S ha-1 through polyhalite is remunerative by producing higher yield.