Effect of Sulphur Levels on Growth and Yield of Indian Mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.]

Abstract

In the 2022 rabi season, a field experiment was conducted at the Agriculture Research Farm of Sage University, Bhopal (M.P.). The study employed a randomized block design with three replications and a factorial setup, examining the impact of varying Sulphur levels on crop growth and yield. Specifically, six treatments were implemented, encompassing four Sulphur dosage levels: 15, 30, 45, and 60 kg S/ha. The chosen crop variety for this experiment was Rani, aimed at determining the most suitable Sulphur dosage and variety combination for maximizing agricultural production. The experiment commenced on December 8, 2023, in soil characterized as black soil with a pH of 6.5, organic carbon content of 0.32%, electrical conductivity (EC) measuring 0.33 ds/m, and nutrient levels of 180.4 kg/ha of available nitrogen, 18.4 kg/ha of available phosphorus, 290 kg/ha of available potassium, 7.3 ppm of available Sulphur, and 0.59 ppm of available Zinc. Results from the study revealed that among the various Sulphur treatments, the application of 60 kg S/ha had a significant impact on various plant characteristics, including plant height, number of branches per plant, leaf area index, number of siliqua per plant, length of siliqua, number of seeds per siliqua, and dry matter accumulation per plant. Notably, this Sulphur dosage level outperformed the 15, 30, and 45 kg S/ha treatments and was superior to the rest of the Sulphur levels. However, it's important to note that Sulphur dosage did not significantly affect certain parameters such as Harvest index, 1000-grain weight (g), nitrogen content, and protein content. Nevertheless, the application of Sulphur at a rate of 60 kg/ha led to significant increases in seed yield, stover yield, and Sulphur content in both the seed and stover, demonstrating its positive impact on overall crop production.