Response of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) to Nitrogen and Sulphur Fertilization Under Semi-Arid Conditions
Vikas Godara
School of Agricultural Sciences, Nirwan University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Akashdeep Singh *
Faculty of Agriculture, School of Agricultural Sciences, Nirwan University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Manjeet Singh
Department of Agronomy, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Palampur, India.
Sneha Thakur
Department of Agronomy, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Palampur, India.
Vikash Choudhary
Faculty of Agriculture, School of Agricultural Sciences, Nirwan University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Deepak Sharma
Faculty of Agriculture, School of Agricultural Sciences, Nirwan University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Piyush Dogra
Department of Agronomy, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Palampur, India.
Bharat Bhushan Rana *
Department of Agronomy, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Palampur, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted during the rabi 2023-24 at the Agronomy Research Farm, Nirwan University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, to evaluate the effect of nitrogen and sulphur levels on mustard growth, yield, and economic profitability. The study utilized a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a factorial arrangement, comprising four nitrogen and three sulphur levels, replicated three times. The soil was sandy loam, alkaline, low in nitrogen and sulphur, and medium in phosphorus and potassium. Results indicated that increasing nitrogen and sulphur levels significantly enhanced plant height and dry matter accumulation at all growth stages. The highest values were recorded at when 150 kg ha-1 N and 40 kg ha-1 S were applied, reflecting improved nutrient assimilation, photosynthetic efficiency, and metabolic activity. Similarly, yield attributes, including siliquae plant-1, seeds siliqua-1, and test weight, improved with higher nitrogen and sulphur application, leading to increased seed and stover yield. The harvest index remained statistically non-significant, indicating a stable biomass partitioning pattern. Economic analysis revealed that N150 and S40 treatments resulted in the highest gross and net returns, with the best benefit-cost (B:C) ratio, demonstrating their superior economic efficiency. The current study highlights the importance of balanced nitrogen and sulphur fertilization in maximizing mustard productivity and profitability.
Keywords: Mustard seed, fertilization, economic profitability, nitrogen, sulphur nutrient assimilation, photosynthetic efficiency, metabolic activity