Quality and profitability of indian mustard (Brassica juncea) as affected by nutrient-management practices under irrigated condition

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during the winter season (rabi) of 2010 at Agricultural Research Farm, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to study, the effect of nutrient-management practices on productivity, economics and quality of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj & Cosson] under irrigated condition. Eight treatment combinations, viz. control, N67.5 P30 [75% recommended dose of nitrogen and phosphorus (RDNP)], N90 P40 (100% RDNP), N112.5 P50 (125% RDNP), Azotobacter + phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB) (AP), N67.5 P30 + AP, N90 P40 + AP, N112.5 P50 + AP, were laid out in 3 times replicated under randomized block design. Application of 125% RDNP (112.5 kg N and 50 kg P2 O5 /ha) being at par with 100% RDNP under conjunctive use of Azotobacter and PSB recorded the maximum growth parameters, viz. plant height (177.3 cm), dry-matter accumulation (64.3 g/plant), primary branches/plant (7.67), secondary branches/plant (6.73) and yield attributes, viz. siliquae/plant (140.7), length of siliqua (4.78 cm), seeds/siliqua (12.12) and 1000-seed weight (4.89 g) resulted in 89 and 17.8% higher seed yield (1.72 t/ha) over the control (no NP) and 100% RDNP alone, respectively. However, application of 100% RDNP (90 kg N and 40 kg P2 O5 /ha) along with dual inoculation of Azotobacter and PSB besides improving quality as well as oil content of Indian mustard (cv. ‘Ashirwad’) under irrigated condition, also registered maximum benefit: cost ratio (1.79). © 2015 Indian Society of Agronomy. All rights reserved.