Performance of promising varieties of gobhi sarson (Brassica napus) at different nitrogen levels

A field experiment was carried out at Kangra during the winter (rabi) seasons of 1996–97 to 1998–99 to find out the suitable high-yielding variety of gobhi sarson (Brassica napus subsp. oleifera var annua) variety and its nitrogen requirement under mid-hill conditions of north-western Himalayas. The treatments consisted of 4 gobhi sarson varieties (‘Hyola 401’, ‘Neelam’, ‘Sheetal’ and ‘GSL 1’) tested against ‘Kranti’ (check) of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L) Czernj. & Cosson] at 3 nitrogen levels (60, 90 and 120 kg N/ha). Among different yield attributes, plant and seeds/siliqua were highest in gobhi sarson hybrid ‘Hyola 401’, while 1,000-seed weight was highest in Indian mustard ‘Kranti’. In spite of poor yield due to inferior quality seed during the third year, ‘Hyola 401’ gave significantly highest seed yield on pooled basis. The seed yield also increased with increasing nitrogen levels, being significantly highest with the application of 120 kg N/ha. The nutrient uptake followed the same trend as that of seed yield with highest uptake values recorded from ‘Hyola 401’ and with the application of 120 kg N/ha.