Growth and development of indian mustard (Brassica juncea) under different levels of irrigation and dates of sowing

A field experiment was conducted during the winter season (rabi) of 1997–98 to study the influence of irrigation levels and dates of sowing on crop physiological and yield parameters of Indian mustard varieties. Successive increase in irrigation levels had significant positive effect on leaf area index (LAI) at 72 and 102 days after sowing (DAS), total dry matter (TDM) accumulation at 72, 102 DAS and at harvest, crop growth rate (CGR) at 42–72 and 72–102 DAS, net assimilation rate (NAR) at 42–72 and 72–102 DAS, days taken to maturity, biological yields, seed yield and harvest index. Each date of delayed sowing after October 16 progressively and significantly decreased the LAI, TDM accumulation, CGR, NAR, days taken to 50% flowering and maturity, biological yield, seed yield and harvest index. Significant genotypic variation was also noticed for these parameters. Pusa bold showed its superiority over newly released SEJ 2 variety in terms of crop physiological characters and yield.