Effect of Nitrogen and Sulphur Levels on Growth Attributes and Yield of Indian Mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss] in Vindhya Plateau Region of Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

In the Rabi season of 2022, a field experiment was conducted in the Vindhya plateau region of Madhya Pradesh at the agricultural field of SAGE University Bhopal. The objective was to investigate the impact of nitrogen and sulfur nutrition on the growth and yield of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.). The experimental soil, characterized as sandy loam with a slightly alkaline pH, exhibited good drainage. Despite having a moderate amount of available phosphorus and potassium, the soil had low levels of organic carbon and nitrogen, with a low electrical conductivity of 1.65 dS/m (1:2, soil: water). The experiment comprised 27 nitrogen and sulfur treatment combinations in a split-plot design with three replications. The treatments included three nitrogen levels (100, 120, and 140 kg ha-1) and three sulfur levels (20, 40, and 60 kg ha-1). The mustard variety Giriraj was cultivated, and the study focused on evaluating the effects of these treatments on growth, yield, and nutrient uptake. Results indicated that various mustard crop attributes, such as plant height, number of green leaves-1, branches plant-1, siliqua plant-1, seeds siliqua-1, and 1000 seed weight, as well as yields (biological, seed, and oil yield), exhibited significant increases with rising nitrogen levels from 100 kg N ha-1 to 140 kg N ha-1. Similarly, applying 60 kg S ha-1 resulted in maximum plant height, number of green leaves, dry matter production, oil yield, and the highest net returns among sulfur levels. The combination of 140 kg N ha-1 and 60 kg S ha-1 proved to be cost-effective, leading to increased yields, net returns, and a higher B:C ratio compared to other nitrogen and sulfur levels. Therefore, this study recommends the application of 60 kg S ha-1 and 140 kg N ha-1 for enhancing mustard crop yields, net returns, and the benefit-cost ratio.