Effect of Different Levels of Nitrogen and Sulphur on Yield, Quality and Economics of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Abstract

Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) is an essential oilseed crop, which is widely cultivated for edible oil, rich in essential fatty acids. A field experiment was carried out at the Agronomy Research Farm of S.D.J. Post Graduate College, Chandeshwar, Azamgarh, affiliated with Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur (U.P.), during the Rabi (winter) seasons of 2020-21 and 2021-22 to evaluate the effect of different levels of nitrogen and sulphur on yield, quality and economics of Indian mustard. The experiment covered four nitrogen levels (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1) and four sulphur levels (0, 15, 30 and 45 kg ha-1) tested in a Randomised Block Design and replicated thrice. The result revealed that the seed yield (23.11and 23.15 q ha-1), stover yield (78.79 and 79.2 q ha-1), harvest index (22.66 and 23.57%) and quality attributes, viz., oil content (39.88 and 41.47%), Iodine value (106.8 and 111.07), were recorded at 120 kg N ha-1. In case of sulphur application, the maximum seed yield (21.34 and 21.49 q ha-1), stover yield (73.5and 73.47 kg ha-1), harvest index (22.64 and 23.55%), and quality attributes like oil content (40.7 and 42.33%), Iodine value (105.85 and 110.08) were recorded at 45kg S ha-1. The combination of 120 kg N with 45 kg S ha-1 proved to be the most effective, leading to increased net return and a higher B: C ratio (2.85 and 3) compared to other nitrogen and sulphur levels in both years (2020-21 and 2021-22).  It concluded that 120 kg N with 45kg S ha-1 is possible to produce more yield, better quality and cost-effective in mustard crops under the agro-climatic conditions of Eastern U.P.