Effect of Nitrogen and Zinc levels on Yield and Economics of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Abstract

A field experimental trial entitled “Effect of Nitrogen and Zinc levels on Yield and Economics of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)” was undertaken during Rabi season (2021-2022) at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (Allahabad) (U.P.). The size of experimental field is 243m2 and soil of experimental field was sandy loam in texture, nearly neutral in soil reaction (pH 7.1), low in organic carbon (0.28 %), available Nitrogen (225 kg/ha.), available Phosphorus (19.50 kg/ha.) and available Potassium (213 kg/ha.). The treatments consisted of 3 levels of Nitrogen N1 (60 kg/ha.), N2(80 kg/ha.), N3 (100 kg/ha.) and 3 levels of Zinc Zn1 (5 kg/ha.),  Zn2 (10 kg/ha.) and  Zn3 (15 kg/ha.). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with 9 treatments and 3 replications. The results revealed that the application of Nitrogen 100 kg/ha. + Zinc 15 kg/ha. recorded maximum siliqua length (5.20 cm), number of siliquae per plant (398.90), number of seeds per siliqua (24.40), test weight (3.53 g). The economic analysis demonstrates that Nitrogen 100 kg/ha. + Zinc 15 kg/ha. treatment produced higher grain yield (1.89 t/ha.), stover yield (3.11 t/ha.), gross returns (103650.00 INR/ha.), net returns (70264.08 INR/ha.) and B:C ratio (2.10). The major challenges experienced throughout the research work were mostly related to the use of nitrogen and zinc.