Response of mustard (Brassicajuncea) to nitrogen and sulphur under dryland conditions

A field experiment was conducted during winter seasons of 2000–2001 and 2001–2002 to study the response of Indian mustard [Brassicajuncea (L.) Czernj & Cosson] cv. ‘Pusa Barani'to nitrogen and sulphur levels. Application of 60 kg N/ha and 40 kg S/ha significantly increased the seed yield with concomitant increase in yield attributes. The per cent increase in seed yield at 60 kg N/ha over 40, 20 and the control was 12.6, 23.8 and 79.8 and at 40 kg S/ha over 20 and control was 12.7 and 32.5 respectively. Each higher level of nitrogen and sulphur appreciably improved the growth and yield attributes (branches/plant, siliquae/plant, seed yield/plant, 1, 000-seed weight and harvest index. The seed yield response to tested levels of N and S was found quadratic. Based on response equation optimum dose of N and S for Indian mustard cv. ‘Pusa Barani’ was found to be 70.8 and 51 kg/ha, respectively. The uptake of N and S increased sign’ icantly up to 80 and 40 kg N/ha, respectively, while sulphur application resulted, in marked increase in N and S uptake only up to 40 kg S/ha. Maximum net returns/ha was recorded with 80 kg N (Rs 10, 538/ha) and 60 kg S/ha (Rs 9, 176/ha).