Growth Performance of Ethiopian Mustard (Brassica carinata) with Different Irrigation, Nitrogen and Sulphur Levels

A field experiment was conducted during winter season of 2004–05 and 2005–06 at the Water Technology Centre, IARI, New Delhi to study the effect of irrigation at three phytophases, three levels of nitrogen (30, 60 and 90 kg Nha⁻¹) and three levels of sulphur (0, 20, 40 kg Sha⁻¹) on growth performance of mustard. Three irrigations each at seedling, at 50% flowering and at pod development stages significantly increased the dry matter (DM) and leaf area index (LAI) of mustard over one irrigation at seedling stage. Increase in irrigation numbers from one to three also increased crop growth rates (CGR), net assimilation rate (NAR) significantly during 90–120 DAS in both the years. Applied N up to its highest level (90 kg Nha⁻¹) significantly increased the plant height, DM, LAI and CGR seed and stalk yield compared to 30 kg Nha⁻¹. Sulphurs application also significantly increased the DM and CGR at all stages of crop growth, except LAI at 30 DAS. However, at later stage (90–120 DAS) S did not have significant response on RGR. The maximum NAR was observed during 60–90 DAS period but no definite trend was observed in NAR values due to N and S application during later period of growth and development of the crop.