Productivity, profitability and sulphur use efficiency of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) as influenced by weed management and sulphur fertilization under semiarid conditions of Rajasthan

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during winter 2014-15 and 2015-16 at Agronomy research farm, Jobner, Rajasthan to evaluate the effect of weed management practices and sulphur fertilization on productivity, profitability and sulphur use efficiency of mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss). The results indicated that plots under twice hand weeding (HW) at 25 and 45 (DAS) had the significantly highest growth and yield attributes followed by pendimethalin at 0.75 kg/ha (PE). Among weed management practices, the highest seed and straw yield (2.49 t/ha and 7.14 t/ha) were obtained with two HW and pendimethalin (2.16 t/ha and 6.24 t/ha) treatments (Pooled data two years). The highest net returns were also obtained with two HWs, and the increment to the tune of 14.9, 20.1 and 36.5 % over pendimethalin, one HW and trifluralin (0.75 kg/ha), respectively. Sulphur fertilization at 40 kg/ha significantly improved the growth, yield attributes and yield over the preceding levels. However, it remained statistically at par with 60 kg S/ha. Two HW was also found best for agronomic efficiency (AE) and apparent recovery (RE) of applied S (25.82 kg seed/kg S; 57.23%). Maximum AE and RE were obtained with 40 kg S/ha.