Yields, Yield Gaps and Economic Efficiency of Mustard Cultivation in South-Western and Central Punjab, India

The present study was conducted to assess the yield gaps in mustard cultivation that affect its economic efficiency in south-western and central Punjab, India. A total of 81 demonstrations (50 in south-western and 31 in central Punjab) were conducted during rabi-2018-19 to investigate the performance of GSC-7 variety, compared with PBR-91. In south-western Punjab, mean grain yield of GSC-7 was higher by ~14 per cent and average net returns were higher by ~53 per cent, compared with PBR-91. Average gross and net returns for GSC-7 were higher by ~23 per cent and ~52 per cent higher as compared to PBR-91. Average B-C ratio for GSC-7 was ~29 per cent higher in south-western Punjab and ~45 per cent in south-western Punjab, compared with PBR-91. Average grain yield of GSC-7 was ~40 per cent higher and of PBR-91 was higher by ~30 per cent in central Punjab, compared with south-western Punjab. The production efficiency of GSC-7 in central Punjab was higher by 4.0 kg ha^-1 d^-1 (~42%), compared with south-western Punjab. The percent increase in grain yield was ~46 per cent higher in central, compared with south-western Punjab. Although, mustard yield in south-western and central Punjab were higher, compared with the district and state averages, yet yield gaps of 7.7 and 1.9 q ha^-1, respectively existed against yield potential for south-western and central Punjab. Our results indicated a considerable potential of yield maximization in south-western, compared with central Punjab.