Sulphur assimilation and partitioning in indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.)

Sulphur uptake and its partitioning in stem, root, leaf and siliqua was studied in 36 crosses of Indian mustard at three levels of sulphur viz. 0, 30 and 60 kg S ha⁻¹. The results show vast genetic variability for sulphur assimilation and partitioning across the genotypes. Sulphur concentration in siliqua was highest and followed by leaves, stem and root. The sulphur partitioning was influenced by increasing S levels from 0 to 60 kg S ha⁻¹ resulting in more S diversion to the vegetative parts like stem, root and leaves than to the reproductive parts like siliqua. Three crosses {RH 30 x RH (OE) 103, RH 0270 x F₁ and RH 30 x HO 1} were found to mobilize highest amount of sulphur from source to sink, and can be exploited for partitioning more sulphur into the reproductive parts (siliqua) which, in turn, may result in better oil in terms of both quantity and quality.