Effect of different sulphur sources and doses on productivity and profitability of mustard in central Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Central Uttar Pradesh, a major mustard-growing region, holds substantial potential for enhancing mustard productivity through improved nutrient management practices, particularly with regard to secondary nutrients like sulphur (S). Hence an experiment was conducted at the research farm of Rama University, Mandhana, Kanpur - 209217 (U.P.), India, during 2024-2025, located at 26.56°N latitude, 80.21°E longitude, with an elevation of 125.9 meters above sea level to assess the impact of sulphur application from various sources and rates on growth, yield characters, yield, and economics of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.). The experiment comprised 11 treatments viz., T1: Recommended NPK with no sulphur application; T2: Recommended NPK with sulphur through elemental sulphur @15 kg/ha; T3: Recommended NPK with sulphur through gypsum 1 @5 kg/ha); T4: Recommended NPK with sulphur through ammonium sulphate @15 kg/ha; T5: Recommended NPK with sulphur through bentonite sulphur @15 kg/ha; T6: Recommended NPK with sulphur through single super phosphate @15 kg/ha; T7: Recommended NPK with sulphur through elemental sulphur @30 kg/ha; T8: Recommended NPK with sulphur through gypsum @30 kg/ha; T9: Recommended NPK with sulphur through ammonium sulphate @30 kg/ha; T10: Recommended NPK with sulphur through bentonite sulphur @30 kg/ha; T11: Recommended NPK with sulphur through single super phosphate @30 kg/ha. Results revealed that sulphur rates significantly increased the observed parameters, of which bentonite sulphur at 30 kg/ha showed overall maximum responses. Yield attributes such as siliquae per plant, seeds per siliqua, and 1000-seed weight also attained maximum values under 30 kg/ha bentonite sulphur. Seed yield was significantly influenced by different sulphur sources and levels over control; the yield ranged from 15.00 q/ha in T1 to 17.70 q/ha in T10. Oil yield varied significantly across treatments, ranging from 615.32 kg/ha in T1 to 743.35 kg/ha in T10, statistically significant enhancement. The highest gross return was recorded in T10 (₹1,02,483/ha), followed by T9 (₹1,01,614/ha), T11 (₹1,01,006/ha), and T7 (₹1,00,746/ha). The B:C ratio improved from 1.75 in T1 to 2.07 in T6, which was significantly higher than the control. In conclusion, the study finds that sulphur application, particularly bentonite at 30 kg/ha, significantly enhances the yield attributes, productivity, and profitability of Indian mustard in central Uttar Pradesh.