Variability in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) genotypes in response to applied phosphorus

A field study was conducted during the winter season (rabi) 2012–13 at Ludhiana, Punjab, to identify the phosphorus-efficient genotypes of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson]. Application of 15 kg/ha of P₂O₅ increased the seed yield by 6.8% and stover yield by 8.5% over the control, whereas the increase with 30 kg/ha of P₂O₅ over 15 kg/ha of P₂O₅ was non-significant. The increase in oil content and P uptake at maturity with successive dose of phosphorus was also significant. Among genotypes, ‘NRCHB 101’ with the highest seed (1.91 t/ha) and stover (7.29 t/ha) yields outyielded all the other tested genotypes by significant margin of 6.7–30.8% for seed yield and 9.0–30.9% for stover yield. Genotype ‘NRCDR 2’ registered significantly higher oil content (40.2%), while ‘NRCHB 101’ registered significantly higher total phosphorus uptake at maturity (21.52 kg/ha). Interactions between doses of phosphorus and genotypes for all the parameters were found non-significant.