Impact of Foliar Application of Boron on Yield and Yield Attributes, Assimilate Supply, Production Efficiency and Fertilizers Productivity of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea) in Field Experiments

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted for three consecutive rabi seasons from 2018 to 2020 to assess the impact of foliar application of boron fertilizer on yield and yield attributes, assimilate supply, production efficiency and fertilizers productivity of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. &Coss.]. The results showed that the number of primary branches/ plant (7.00 to 8.08), number of siliquae/plant (427.2 to 468.8), number of seeds/siliqua (13.03 to 14.01), test weight of seed (3.60 to 3.80 g) and plant dry matter production (38.10 to 41.20 g/plant) were significantly increased with T2 treatment (100% NPKS + foliar application of Boron @ 0.5% Borax) as compared to farmer’s practice T1 (100% NPKS + without boron) during three years of experiments. Significantly higher seed yield (22.5 to 24.7 q/ha) of the mustard crop was also reported with T2 (100% NPKS + foliar application of Boron @ 0.5% Borax) as compared to farmers’ practice T1 (100% NPKS + without boron) (seed yield 19 to 22.5 q/ha) during the studies. Similarly, Treatment T2 resulted in significantly higher production efficiency and assimilates supply of mustard crop than that of T1 (farmer’s practice). The fertilizer productivity in the mustard crop that is directly related to seed yield and the partial factor of productivity of N, P, K and S fertilizers (PFPNPKS) were also increased significantly with the T2 compared to farmers practiceT1(farmer’s practice), during 3 years of studies. The highest gross return and net return and benefit-cost ratio were obtained with T2 (100% NPKS + foliar application of Boron @ 0.5% Borax) treatment over T1 (100% NPKS + without boron).