Effect of liquid biofertilizer and variable source of nutrients on the performance of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) in Western U.P.

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the “Effect of liquid biofertilizer and variable source of nutrients on the performance of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) in Western U.P” during Rabi season of 2021-22 at Crop Research Centre of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (U.P.). The soil of the experimental field was well drained, sandy loam in texture and slightly alkaline in nature. It was low in organic carbon and nitrogen but medium in available phosphorus and potassium. The experiment consisted of twenty treatment combinations with variable source of nutrients and biofertilizer. The treatment consisted of four sources of nutrients i.e., Control, 100% RDF (NPKS 120:60:60:40 kg/ha), 75% RDF (NPKS 90:45:45:30 kg/ha) + 6-ton FYM/ha and 75% RDF (NPKS 90:45:45:30 kg/ha) + 2-ton Vermicompost/ha and five Biofertilizer levels i.e., No biofertilizers, Azotobacter @20 ml/kg seed treatment, Azotobacter + PSB each @20 ml/kg seed treatment), Azotobacter + PSB + KMB each @20 ml/kg seed treatment, Azotobacter + PSB + KMB + ZnSB each @20 ml/kg seed treatment were tested in RCBD (Factorial) with three replications. The mustard variety Pusa Vijay (NPJ-93) was grown and growth & yield, nutrient uptake, soil properties as influenced by different treatments were assessed. Application of different sources of nutrients caused significant increase in growth and yield attributes i.e., plant height, LAI, branches plant-1, siliqua plant-1, seeds siliqua-1, 1000 seed weight and yields i.e., biological, seed, stover and oil yield of mustard crop and found maximum at 75% RDF (NPKS 90:45:45:30 kg/ha) +2-ton Vermicompost/ha. The nutrient content and uptake were also noticed higher with the application of 75% RDF (NPKS 90:45:45:30 kg/ha) +2-ton Vermicompost/ha. Similarly, application of Azotobacter + PSB + KMB + ZnSB each @20 ml/kg seed treatment gave higher plant height, leaf area index (LAI), dry matter production, yield attributes, seed, stover & biological yield, oil content, oil yield, protein content, protein yield and nutrients (N, P, K and S) uptake by mustard crop. The highest net returns of Rs. 65,903 and B:C ratio of 2.58 was obtained with 75% RDF (NPKS 90:45:45:30 kg/ha) + 2-ton Vermicompost/ha over than other sources of nutrients. With respect to biofertilizer levels, the highest net return of Rs. 66,706 and B:C ratio of 2.88 was calculated with the application of Azotobacter + PSB + KMB + ZnSB each @ 20 ml/kg Seed treatment and significantly superior over than other biofertilizers. Thus, it may be concluded that the application of 75% RDF (NPKS 90:45:45:30kg/ha) + 2 ton Vermicompost/ha +Biofertilizers (Azotobacter + PSB + KMB + ZnSB each @ 20 ml/kg Seed treatment) found economical in obtaining higher yields with higher net return and B: C ratio.