Effect of Seeding Time and Irrigation Schedule on Growth and yield of Indian mustard (Brassica Juncea L.)
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Date
2003
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Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi
Abstract
The production of rapeseed/mustard in Jharkhand is still very low, contributing only 9 lakh tonnes in the total production of India and the productivity is also low in the state (682 kg/ha) as compared to Indian level attributed to inadequate nutrient, water supply be and delayed or untimely sowing. Hence a field experiment was conducted on a sandy clay loam soil, acidic in nature (pH 5.5), low in available nitrogen (278.56 kg/ha), medium in phosphorus (12.6 ha Agricultural University Farm during rabi season of 2001- 200a) at Birsa to find out the "Effect of seeding time and irrigation schedule on growth and yield of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.)". The experiment was laid out in a split plot design comprising of four seeding time (15th October, 25th October, 5th November and 15th November) in main plot and four irrigation schedule (No irrigation, one at 30 DAS, one at 60 DAS, and two irrigation at 30 and 60 DAS) in sub plots and replicated thrice.
Results revealed that the 15th October sown crop produced maximum primary branches (5.10), secondary branches (3.79), number of siliquae per plant (89.00), siliqua length (4.72 cm), number of seeds per siliqua (11.52). 1000-seed weight (3.02 g), dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, leaf area index and plant height. Crop sown on 15th October produced significantly higher seed yield (734.50 kg/ha), straw yield (2267.00 kg/ha) and biological production rate (25.29 kg/ha/day), which was 14.18 %, 30.46 % and 53.74% more than the seed yield obtained from the crop seeded on 25th October, 5th November and 15th November respectively. Maximum net returns (4191.00 Rs/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (0.83) were also recorded on 15th October sown crop.
Mustard crop receiving two irrigations (30 DAS and 60 DAS) produced maximum primary branches (6.33), secondary branches (4.15), number of siliquae per plant (95.25), siliqua length (5.31 cm), number of seeds per siliqua (12.27), 1000-seed weight (3.03 g), seed yield (789.00 kg/ha), straw yield (2489.00 kg/ha), biological production rate (28.14 kg/ha/day), net returns (4689.00 Rs/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (0.86).
Thus the proper seeding time (15th October) and irrigation schedule at critical growth stages (30 & 60 DAS) of mustard with a view to achieve the maximum yield and consequently increase in net income proves the utility of the present investigation.
Though on the basis of the result of one year experimentation exact recommendation may not be made. However, for maximum seed yield and economic returns, crop must be sown on or before 15th October with two irrigation i.e. at 30 and 60 days after sowing.