Impact of integrated nutrient management on growth yield and quality of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024–25 at the Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, United University, Prayagraj. The trial was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with eight treatments: T1 (Control), T2 (100% RDF), T3 (75% RDF + 2.5 t/ha VC), T4 (75% RDF + 5 t/ha FYM), T5 (100% RDF + 25 kg/ha S), T6 (50% RDF + 25 kg/ha S), T7 (75% RDF + 25 kg/ha S), and T8 (100% RDF + 2.5 t/ha VC + 5 t/ha FYM + 25 kg/ha S). Growth attributes showed that T8 consistently produced the tallest plants (173.51 cm), maximum dry matter accumulation (26.64 g at 120 DAS), highest LAI (11.62), superior NAR (0.891 g m-2 day-1), and number of branches (19.67). The control consistently remained the least effective across all parameters. Overall, the study established that integration of 100% RDF with vermicompost, FYM, and sulphur (T8) is the most effective nutrient management strategy, ensuring improved growth, yield, quality, nutrient uptake, and profitability of Indian mustard under the agro-climatic conditions of Prayagraj.