Effect of Different Levels of NPK and Sulphur on Productivity and Profitability of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Abstract

A two-year field experiment was undertaken at the Agronomy Research Farm of Shri Khushal Das University, Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, to evaluate mustard production under graded nitrogen and sulphur supply and to determine the economic viability of the crop. The experiment included twenty-five treatment combinations formed from five nitrogen levels, viz., 0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 kg N/ha in the main plots, and five sulphur levels, viz., 0, 25, 35, 45, and 55 kg S/ha in the subplots, arranged in an FRBD with three replications. Across both years, nitrogen treatment N3 (120 kg N/ha) and sulphur treatment S4 (55 kg S/ha) significantly affected mustard growth, yield attributes, and yield. For the growth parameters, viz., plant height, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, and primary and secondary branches, as well as for yield attributes and yield, the highest responses were observed with N3 (120 kg N/ha) and S4 (55 kg S/ha), followed by N2 (80 kg N/ha) and S3 (45 kg S/ha). N3 (120 kg N/ha) and S4 (55 kg S/ha) also produced the maximum gross return, net return, and B:C ratio. Lower gross return, net return, and B:C ratio were obtained with S0 (0 kg S/ha), while the minimum net return and B:C ratio occurred with N0 (0 kg N/ha) and S0 (0 kg S/ha).