Effect of Potassium and Zinc on Yield Attributes and Economics of Mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.]

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out in the North Eastern Plains of Eastern Uttar Pradesh during the rabi season of 2022 at the agricultural research farm of the Department of Agronomy at Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj with the objective of examining the impact of potassium and zinc on mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.] growth, yield, and economics using a randomised block design with 10 treatments, of which treatments (T1-T9) T1 – 30 kg K/ha + 5 kg Zn/ha, T2 –  30 kg K/ha + 10 kg Zn/ha, T3 – 30 kg K/ha + 15 kg Zn/ha,  T4 – 40 kg K/ha + 5 kg Zn/ha, T5 – 40 kg K/ha + 10 kg Zn/ha, T6 – 40 kg K/ha + 15 kg Zn/ha, T7 – 50 kg K/ha + 5 kg Zn/ha, T8- 50 kg K/ha + 10 kg Zn/ha, T9 – 50 kg K/ha + 15 kg Zn/ha and T10 – Control with three separate replications of potassium, zinc, and different combinations of nitrogen and phosphorus. The soil in the exploratory plot had a sandy loam texture, a natural pH of 7.2, an EC of 0.26 (dS/m), a low level of organic carbon (0.48%), and available amounts of N (225 kg/ha), P (13.60 kg/ha), and K (215.4 kg/ha). The experimental findings showed that 50 kg K/ha + 15 kg Zn/ha resulted in the maximum plant height (193.45 cm), the highest plant dry weight (35.25 gm),  the number of siliqua/plant (302.20), the number of seeds/siliqua (17.60), the seed yield (2685 kg/ha), and the stover yield (6143 kg/ha). The maximum gross return (136910.00 INR/ha), net return (93070.00 INR/ha), and benefit cost ratio (2.11) were recorded for the treatment 50 kg K/ha + 15 kg Zn/ha, in comparison with other treatment combinations.