Response of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) to fertility levels and irrigation scheduling

Abstract

Indian mustard is a member of the Brassicaceae family and has become one of the most important sources of oil production in the world. India is a third largest rapeseed-mustard producer in the world after China and Canada with 10.7 percent of world‟s total production (DAC & FW. 2014-15). Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) is one of most important oilseed crops of India. This crop accounts for nearly one-third of the oil produced in India, making it the country‟s key edible oilseed crop. A field experiment was conducted during 2017-18 at Crop Research Center, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (U.P.) to evaluate the Response of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) to fertility levels and irrigation scheduling. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The rabi season experiment comprised of four levels of RDF (80:40:40:30 NPKS) viz.; 75% RDF, 100% RDF, 125 % RDF and 150 % RDF and three levels of irrigation scheduling measures viz; Pre sowing irrigation+ one irrigation at pre bloom stage. ( I1), Pre sowing irrigation+ one irrigation at pod formation stage ( I2) and Pre sowing irrigation+ Two irrigation at pre bloom and pod formation (I3). Plant height varied significantly due to different irrigation scheduling and fertility levels. The maximum plant height was recorded in Two irrigation at pre bloom & pod formation stage and 150% RDF at all the stages of crop growth, while the minimum plant height was observed with the application of One irrigation at pre bloom stage and 75% RDF at all the growth stages. Yield attributing characters like length of siliqua-1, number of siliqua plant-1, seeds siliqua-1 and 1000-seeds weight exhibited variations due to different irrigation scheduling and fertilizer levels. With the application of two irrigation and 150% RDF highest mean length of siliqua-1, number of siliqua plant-1, seeds siliqua-1 and 1000-seeds weight was recorded. The highest seed yield, stover yield and biological yield was recorded in two irrigation and 150% RDF and the lowest seed yield, stover yield and biological yield was recorded in One irrigation at pre bloom stage and 75% RDF. Protein content also varied significantly due to different irrigation scheduling and fertility treatments. The maximum protein content was found in two irrigation and 150% RDF which was at par with one irrigation at pod formation stage and 125% RDF. The minimum protein content was found in One irrigation at pre bloom stage and 75% RDF. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur content and their uptake by mustard seed and stover was influenced significantly due to irrigation and fertility levels. Maximum and minimum nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur content and their uptake were recorded with two irrigation and 150% RDF and One irrigation at pre bloom stage and 75% RDF, respectively. The oil content varied significantly under different treatments. The maximum oil content was found with the application of two irrigation and 150% RDF treatments. The minimum oil content was found in One irrigation at pre bloom stage and 75% RDF. Gross income and net profit were found significantly higher with the combined application of Two irrigation and 125% RDF (Rs. 92207 and Rs. 70342), respectively over rest of treatment Benefit: cost ratio was significantly affected by application of Two irrigation and 150% RDF alone with mean value 2.97 followed by remaining treatments. Thus, it may be concluded that application of 125% (100: 50: 50: 37.5 NPKS) and two irrigations one at pre bloom and one pod formation stage seems to best option for achieving higher yield and net returns from mustard crop.