Response on growth and yield of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) as influenced by genotypes and different fertility levels

Abstract

A field experiment entitled “Response on growth and yield of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) as influenced by genotypes and different fertility levels” was carried out during Rabi 2023–24 at the Instructional Farm, RMD College of Agriculture and Research Station, Ambikapur (C.G.). The experiment was laid out in a Split Plot Design with three replications. The treatments included four genotypes in the main plots, viz., V1: CG Sarson, V2: MCNR-23-06, V3: MCNR-23-03 and V4: MCNR-23-08 with three fertility levels as subplot viz., F1: RDF 75%, F2: RDF 100% (80:40:20 NPK kg ha-1) and F3: RDF 125% were laid out in Split Plot Design with three replications. Mustard was sown using 5.0 kg seed ha⁻¹ with a row spacing of 40 cm. Observations were recorded on various growth attributes, including plant population (at 30 DAS and at harvest), plant height, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant and dry matter accumulation at 30, 60, 90 DAS and at harvest. Yield and yield-contributing characters such as number of siliquae per plant, number of seeds per silique, seed weight per plant, test weight (g), seed yield (kg ha⁻¹), stover yield (kg ha⁻¹) and harvest index (%) were also studied. The economic parameters namely cost of cultivation, gross return, net return and benefit–cost ratio, were calculated to assess the profitability of the treatments. All recorded data were subjected to statistical analysis for valid interpretation of the results. Among the genotypes, V₄ (MCNR-23-08) consistently demonstrated superior performance across all growth parameters, recording the highest plant height (188.95 cm), number of leaves (11.97), number of branches per plant (8.06) and dry matter accumulation (18.21 g plant⁻¹) at harvest. Similarly, for reproductive and yield attributes, it produced the greatest number of siliquae per plant (277.58), number of seeds per siliqua (15.56), siliqua length (5.83 cm), seed yield (2139.06 kg ha⁻¹) and straw yield (4978.24 kg ha⁻¹). In terms of economics, V₄ also yielded the maximum gross return (₹118348.42 ha⁻¹), net return (₹ 85050.42 ha⁻¹), and benefit–cost ratio (2.55), indicating its inherent vigorous growth, high reproductive potential, and profitability. Fertility levels exerted a pronounced influence on growth, yield, and economic performance. The treatment F₂ – RDF 100% (80:40:20 NPK kg ha⁻¹) proved to be the most effective, achieving the highest plant height (186.61 cm), number of leaves (11.93), number of branches (7.84), dry matter accumulation (18.15 g plant⁻¹), number of siliquae (276.16), seeds per siliqua (15.51), siliqua length (5.59 cm), seed yield (2131.56 kg ha⁻¹) and straw yield (4956.56 kg ha⁻¹), which was at par with F₃ (RDF 125%). The same treatment also recorded the maximum gross return (₹ 117929.09 ha⁻¹), net return (₹ 79023.53 ha⁻¹) and B:C ratio (2.03), confirming the advantage of applying a balanced recommended dose of fertilizers.