Crop residue management for sustainable production of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) in arid and semi arid region

A field experiment was carried out for 3 years in winter season (rabi) during 1999–2000 to 2001–02 at Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Pali-Marwar to study the effect of cropping and crop residues incorporation during rainy season (kharif) on seed yield of Indian mustard [Brassicajuncea (L.) Czern. & Coss.]. Dry matter production of mustard increased significantly with incorporation of 10 t ha⁻¹ farmyard manure (FYM), FYM 5 t ha⁻¹ + mustard straw 5 t ha⁻¹, FYM 5 t ha⁻¹ +taramira straw 5 t ha⁻¹ and dhaincha green manuring (GM) over fallow and 5 t ha⁻¹ FYM. Seed yield of mustard was increased significantly by 25.1, 22.6, 20.8 and 18.6% due to incorporation of 10 t ha⁻¹ FYM, FYM 5 t ha⁻¹ + mustard straw 5 t ha⁻¹, FYM 5 t ha⁻¹ + taramira straw at 5 t ha⁻¹ and green manuring of dhaincha over fallow, respectively. Results indicate that incorporation of crop residues of mustard and taramira with equal amount of FYM and green manuring improved the soil organic carbon, available nitrogen and phosphorus. Incorporation of FYM 5 t ha⁻¹ + mustard straw 5 t ha⁻¹ increased field capacity of soil by 11.5% and had favourable effect on bulk density (10.8% decrease). Soil biological properties like dehydrogenase and phosphatase also showed higher activities due to these treatments, which are essential for sustainable production system.