Productivity and profitability of Rainfed Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) in relation to sowing time and moisture conservation practices in alluvial soil of Madhya Pradesh

Field experiments were conducted at the research farm, Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Gwalior during rabi (winter) seasons of 2010–11 and 2011–12 to study the sowing dates and moisture conservation practices (MCP) on growth, yield attributes and yield of mustard (Cv. Pusabold). Three different sowing dates (i.e. 11, 21 & 31 October) were used in the main plots and eight MCP including one hand weeding and mulching of paddy straw, grass & pearlmillet husk in two quantity (@ 2.5 & 5.0 t/ha) were used in sub-plots. October 11 sown crop resulted in significantly higher plant height and branches at harvest over 31 October but statistically at par with 21 October sowing. In general, the value of all the yield contributing characters had significantly lower value under delayed sowing. Highest crop productivity (17.5 kg/ha/day) was observed with 11 October sown crop followed by (17.4 kg/ha/day) in 21 October sown crop and both higher over 31 October showing date. The maximum crop profitability (506.6/ha/day) and B: C ratio (4.33) was recorded with October 11 sown crop which is closely followed by 21 October sown crop. Mulching with higher quantity (5 t/ha) gave significantly higher number of siliquae/plant and length of siliqua over its lower quantity. Application of mulching @ 5.0 t/ha produced higher crop productivity over 2.5 t/ha at the same material. Whereas, paddy straw gave higher crop productivity over other materials. Maximum crop productivity (18.5 kg/ha/day) was recorded with 5.0 t/ha paddy straw mulch applied after weeding by khurpi at 20 DAS. Under different moisture conservation practices, maximum crop profitability (503.0/ha/day) and B:C ratio (3.63) were recorded with 5.0 t/ha paddy straw mulch applied after weeding by khurpi at 20 DAS.