Effect of phosphorus and sulphur levels on growth, yield and quality of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) cultivars

A field experiment was conducted during the two consecutive winter (rabi) seasons of 2000–01 and 2001–02 at Agronomy Research Farm of NDUAT, Faizabad to find out the optimum dose of phosphorus and sulphur for Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson] cultivars. The treatment consisted of four levels of P (0, 13.1, 26.1 and 39.3 kg/ha) and four levels of sulphur (0, 15, 30 and 45 kg/ha) applied though diammonium phosphate and elemental sulphur in split-plot design replicated thrice. A significant response of crop was observed up to 26.2 kg P and 30 kg S/ha in seed and stover yields. Nutrient uptake was also highest under these treatments. The optimum dose of S and P was computed as 47.5 and 40.2 kg, and 44.0 and 40.2 kg for the first and second years respectively. Highest net returns of Rs 12.729 and 13,734/ha were recorded with the application of 39.3 and 45 kg/ha P and S respectively. However, net returns of Rs 1.10 and 1.18/ha/Re invested were highest at 26.2 and 30 kg P and S respectively. ‘NDR 8501’ recorded the highest seed yield of 2.01 and 2.00 t/ha, and stover yield of 6.03 and 5.90 t/ha during 2000–01 and 2001–02 respectively, followed by ‘Varuna’.