Input management for sustaining mustard (Brassica juncea) production under late-sown semi-arid situations of Rajasthan

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 1993-94 to 1995-96 to study the effect of different agronomic inputs for taking good sustainable yield of mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson] under late-sown conditions. Maximum e seed yield of mustard was recorded in all the years where all the four major agro- inputs, viz. thinning, fertilizer, irrigation and plant protection, were used as per recommendations. Considering the single factor, irrigation proved to be the most critical input in this semi-arid region, when there was no winter rains and rainfall during the season was low or normal. The reduction in the yield under no irrigation was up to 39% followed by fertilizer which contributed up to 28 % yield. During the year when rainfall was more than normal, that too up to October and was accompanied with winter rain, fertilizer contributed to the yield up to 38% and proyed the most critical. In its absence reduction In the mustard yield was up to 38 %. This was followed by plant-protection measures, as during the years of sufficient rainfall in rainy season with winter rains the infestation of diseases and pests was much more, causing great reduction in yield. Thus during the years of scanty rainfall for taking good yield of mustard, Irrigation and fertilizer are the mpst critical inputs in this semi-arid tract; whereas during the years of sufficient rainfall, fertilizer and plant-protection measures are the most critical inputs .for taking good sustainable production of mustard.