Department of Agricultural Botany, C.C.R.D. College, Muzaffarnagar
Pot trial was conducted to assess the effect of sulphur deficiency on alkaloid contents of mustard (Brassica campestris L. Var. Sarson Prain). Certified seeds were obtained and grown in sand culture in cemented pots. It was found that at different stages of growth that sulphur deficiency caused a marked reduction in the synthesis of both tertiary and water soluble alkaloids in the leaves of mustard plants. The alkaloid content in the leaves showed a marked increase till 65th day of sowing when flowering commenced. A considerable decline was observed in the alkaloid contents, indicating that the alkaloids are probably related to the seed formation and oil synthesis therein. A larger quotient was found between water soluble and tertiary alkaloid contents of leaves of the plants at every stage of growth.
