Influence of Irrigation Scheduling and Foliar Application of Phosphorus, Sulphur, and Boron on Quality Characteristic and Soil Nutrient Availability of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Students Instructional Farm, Department of Agronomy, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur (U.P.) during the two consecutive Rabi seasons of 2023 and 2024 to evaluate the effects of irrigation scheduling and foliar application of phosphorus, sulphur, and boron on Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.). The trial was arranged in a split plot design with two factors main plot: (Irrigation levels 03) i.e. I1 (no irrigation), I2 (one irrigation at pre-flowering), and I3 (two irrigations at pre-flowering and siliqua development). and sub-plots: (Nutrient management practices 05) i.e. T1 (RDF 120:60:40 NPK), T2 (RDF+ foliar application of sulphur @ 2% at 30 DAS and 45 DAS), T3 (RDF+ foliar application of boron @ 0.2% at 30 DAS and 45 DAS), T4 (RDF+ foliar application of sulphur @ 2% + foliar application of boron @ 0.2% at 30 DAS and 45 DAS) and T5 (RDF + foliar application of sulphur @ 2% + foliar application of boron @ 0.2% + foliar application of nano phosphorus @ 0.5% at 30 DAS and 45 DAS). Mustard variety Azad Mahak was sown on November 2nd, 2023, and November 4th, 2024. Harvesting was carried out on March 26th, 2024, and March 29th, 2025 respectively. Requisite soil and crop parameters were determined by standard methods. Results indicate that I3 irrigation and T5 treatment improved soil available P, N and K contents. It was observed that combined I3 irrigation and T5 nutrient management enhanced crop performance hence maximum oil content, sulphur, phosphorus, boron and nitrogen contents of grains were obtained, particularly with adequate nutrient management, hence are recommended for profitable mustard farming.