Effect of Potassium on the Growth and Yield of Different Varieties of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) under Poplar (Populus deltoides) Based Agroforestry System

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to find out the "Effect of potassium on the growth and yield of different varieties of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) under Poplar (Populus deltoides) based agroforestry system" at Forestry Nursery, the research farm of the College of Forestry, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, U.P., India. Experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 3 different varieties of Mustard viz. T59-Varuna, Pioneer 45s 42s, and Jugni in 3 replications and 5 levels of Potassium per variety (50% kg/ha), (75% kg/ha), (100% kg/ha), (125% kg/ha) and (150% kg/ha) as of total 15 treatments in all. The result shows that the application of increased levels of potassium fertilizers showed high growth and yield of Mustard. It was recorded from the application of potassium fertilizers in treatments applied with (MOP @ 150% kg/ha) resulted in increased pre-harvest observation viz., plant height (cm), dry weight (g/plant), crop growth rate (g/m2/day) and increased relative growth rate (g/g/day). It was also concluded from the trail that the application of fertilizers in treatment with (MOP @ 150% kg/ha) was found in increasing post-harvest observations viz., number of siliqua/plants, number of seeds/siliquas, test weight (g), seed yield (t/ha), stover yield (t/ha), harvest index (%). Also, after the economic analysis, the returns as compared to investment were found to be more profitable.