Effect of different modes of pollination on seed set of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) sown on different sowing dates

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of different modes of pollination on seed set of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) in three different sowing dates. The studies were conducted in mustard crop by inducing the plant to flower early or late through different sowing dates. Open mode of pollination was superior to hand pollination and pollinators exclusion. Higher seed set percentage was observed in open pollination (81.89 %) as compared to hand pollination (58.61 %) and pollinator’s exclusion (45.96 %). This shows an increase of 35. 93 and 12.56 per cent seed set under open pollination and hand pollination modes over pollinators exclusion. Delayed sowing of mustard resulted into reduction in the seed set. Highest seed siliqua -1 and 1000-seed weight was obtained in open pollination followed by hand pollination. The minimum seed/ siliqua and 1000 seed weight was observed in case of pollinator’s exclusion. The mean number of seed siliqua -1 and 1000-seed weight did not vary significantly in different sowing dates during both the year of investigations.