Response of sulphur nutrition in mustard – A review

Sulphur is an essential nutrient for all the plants. It is constituent of essential amino acids (cysteine, cystine and methionine), several coenzymes (biotin, coenzyme A, thiamine pyrophosphate, lipoic acid and thioredoxin) and sulpholipids. Application of sulphur fertilizers to rapeseed and mustard can lead to increased glucosinolate content in seed which leads to higher content its cake that harmful as animal feed. It has important role in improving the quality and marketability of produce (seed & oil). The quality decides the market price and output of the end product i.e. oil per unit of economic yield. Sulphur application increases glucosinolate, protein and glucoside. Increase in seed yield of rapeseed and mustard have been reported due to varying levels of sulphur fertilization depending upon its deficiency in soil. Besides other benefits adequate sulphur is required for reduction of nitrate, in nitrogen metabolism and increased chlorophyll content in leaf. Sulphur application increases plant height, leaves plant⁻¹, dry matter production besides increasing yield attributes and yield of mustard. Oil content, protein content and nutrient uptake increases with increasing sulphur application depending upon the sulphur status of the soil. Residual effect of sulphur is more pronounced at higher levels of sulphur application in mustard based cropping system.