Response of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)-to Method of N Application and Timing of First Irrigation

Field experiments were conductedfor four years (1986–87 to 1989–90) to evaluate the effect of timing of first irrigation and methods of N application on mustard (Brassica juncea L). For the first three years the experiment consisted of two irrigation treatments and four methods of fertilizer N application viz. full N with last preparatory tillage, full N with pre-sowing irrigation, half N with last preparatory tillage and remaining half N with first irrigation and half N with pre-sowing irrigation and remaining half N with first irrigation. During fourth year of study the experiment consisted of the same irrigation treatments but two methods of fertilizer N application viz. half N with pre-sowing irrigation and remaining half N with first irrigation and half N with last preparatory tillage and remaining half N with first irrigation at three levels of N (50, 100 and 150 kg N ha⁻¹). Results indicated that delaying of first irrigation resulted in significant reduction in yield of mustard in all treatments of method of N application. The application of N with pre-sowing irrigation was superior to that of N application with last preparatory tillage. In case of N applied with presowing irrigation single application of N was at par with split application but in case of that with last preparatory tillage split application was better.