Response of Sulphur Nutrition and Mulching on Indian mustard (Brassica napes L.)

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted to study the effect of sulphur nutrition and mulching on Indian mustard (Brassica napes L.) at Rajeev Gandhi South Campus (Banaras Hindu University), Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh during rainy season of 2013. Three levels of sulphur 20 kg ha-1 S (S1), 40 kg ha-1 S (S2), 60 kg ha-1 S (S3) and five levels of mulching, Zero mulch (M0), paddy straw @ 4 t ha-1 (M1), wheat straw @ 6 t ha-1 (M2), legume straw @ 5 t ha-1 (M3), and green weed mulch @ 12 t ha-1 (M4) were included in the experiments. Variety named ‘PT-303’ was selected for experimental study which was suitable for soils of Vindhyan region. Results showed that, plant height (98.9 cm),  plant dry weight (32.1 g), length of siliquae (6.20 cm), seed siliquae-1(16.5), test weight (3.07 gm) were recorded highest in S2×M1 treatment combination as well as changes in soil physical, and chemical properties. Significantly the highest results were recorded in S2 (S40 kg ha-1) along with M1 paddy straw @ 4 ha-1 (S2×M1) in growth as well as yield attributing characters of Indian Mustard. In terms of nutrient uptake highest nitrogen as well as sulphur uptake noticed in S2M1. Soil samples collected after harvesting of mustard crop showed the highest nitrogen 223.90 N kg ha‑1, phosphorus 26.90 kg ha-1, organic carbon 0.410% and water holding capacity 43.60% in S2M3 treatment combination. The combined application of 40 kg ha-1 with paddy straw was superior all over the treatments combinations.