Effect of sowing dates on growth and yield of mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the entitled “Effect of sowing dates on growth and yield of mustard (Brassica juncea L.)” was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024-25 at agriculture research and Farm development centre, Sakatpura, School of Agriculture Science, Vikrant University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, to study the influence of different sowing dates on growth and productivity he experiment consisted of 08 treatment combinations with Date of sowing and Mustard varieties, var. Rachna. The experiment included eight sowing dates (7th October-25th November) in a randomized block design with three replications. Results revealed that germination was unaffected by sowing dates, but plant height, branches per plant, leaf area index, and dry matter accumulation were significantly influenced. The maximum growth parameters were observed under 11th November sowing, closely followed by 4th November, while delayed sowing (25th November) recorded poor vegetative growth and reduced biomass. Crop duration was longer under timely sowing, whereas early October and late November sowings resulted in shorter growth cycles. The study highlights that optimum sowing during early November ensures favorable growth conditions and higher productivity.