Effect of non-monetary inputs on growth, yield and economics of organically grown Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) under middle Indo-Gangetic plains

A field experiment was conducted in organic field at Kanpur during the rabi season of 2009-10 and 2011-12 under irrigated conditions to access the effect of non-monetary practices viz., row spacing, thinning and topping for higher productivity of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson]. Treatments consisted of three row spacing viz., S₁, (30 cm), S₂ (45 cm) and S₃, (60 cm) was kept as main plot and and four low cost input techniques viz., L₁, (thinning), L₂, (topping), L₃, (thinning and topping both) and L₄, (no thinning and no topping) was kept as sub plot replicated thrice under split plot design. Results revealed that all the growth and yield attributes of Indian mustard were increased significantly under wider row spacing i.e. 60 cm. However, yield and economics in terms of gross return (¹ 48485 ha^-1), net return (¹ 32631 ha^-1) and return per rupee investment (2.04) were significantly maximum with medium row spacing (45 cm), followed by closer row spacing (30 cm) and least were with wider row spacing (60 cm). The growth parameters viz., dry matter accumulation (g plant^-1), branches plant^-1, yield attributes like number of siliquae plant^-1, number of seed plant^-1, seed yield and economics of Indian mustard were significantly higher with the application of thinning + topping both treatment (L₃). The highest seed yield (2259 kg ha^-1) was computed under medium row sowing (45 cm) with the application of thinning + topping at bud initiation stage. Thus, medium row sowing with thinning + topping practices proved the most productive and economically feasible for organic growers of Indian mustard under the agro climatic conditions of central Uttar Pradesh.