Response of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) to source and level of sulphur

Abstract

Three lndian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. Crosson] cultivars ( Varuna , Vardan and Narendra Rai 1 ,) with 3 sulphur sources (gypsum, elemental sulphur and pyrite) and 4 sulphur levels (0, 20, 40 and 60 kglha) were tested during the winter (rab ) season of 1996 97 and 1997 98. Narendra Rai 1 and Varuna gave higher plant height, brancheslplant, siliquaelplant, seeds/ siliqua, 1,000 grain weight and harvest index and resulted significantly higher seed and stover yields, sulphur uptake, oil and protein contents than Vardan , though the former two were at par during both the years. However, the sources of sulphur did not influence the growth yield attributes and yields as well as quality of lndian mustard. The application of 40 and 60 kg S/haabeing at par with each other gave significantly higher yield and quality (protein and oil contents in seed) over 20 kg and no sulphur application. The growth and yield attributing charac ters showed also similar trend. On the basis of economics, Narendra Rai I ferti lized with 40 kg Slha either through gypsum or pyrite was found most profitable.