Yield and Economics of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) as Influenced by Biochar-based Nutrient Management under Gwalior Conditions

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2025-26 at the Agriculture Research and Development Centre, Sakatpura, School of Agriculture Science, Vikrant University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, to evaluate the yield and economic responses of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) to biochar-based nutrient management. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design with eight treatments and three replications. The treatments comprised an absolute control, 100% of the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF: 80:40:40:40 kg N:P₂O₅:K₂O:S ha⁻¹), and 100% or 75% RDF combined with mustard stover, Lantana camara, or wood/forest residue biochar @ 5.0 t ha⁻¹. The highest yield attributes were obtained with 100% RDF + Lantana camara biochar @ 5.0 t ha⁻¹ (T₄), which recorded 340.00 siliquae plant⁻¹, 14.60 seeds siliqua⁻¹, and a 1,000-seed weight of 5.21 g. The same treatment produced the maximum seed yield (21.72 q ha⁻¹), stover yield (44.00 q ha⁻¹), biological yield (65.72 q ha⁻¹), gross returns (₹1,52,320 ha⁻¹), and net returns (₹1,03,720 ha⁻¹). However, 75% RDF + Lantana camara biochar @ 5.0 t ha⁻¹ (T₇) recorded the highest benefit:cost ratio (3.14), with a comparable seed yield of 20.67 q ha⁻¹. The results indicated that integrating lantana biochar with fertilizer improved mustard productivity and profitability, while 75% RDF + lantana biochar may serve as a fertilizer-saving option where local biochar material is available.