Effect of sowing dates and nitrogen levels on total dry matter and its partitioning at different growth stages and yield of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) season of 2013-14 and 2014-15 at research farm Hisar, Haryana in a split plot design having four dates (Oct 15 and 25, Nov 5 and 15) in main plots and five nitrogen levels (0, 40, 60, 80 and 100 kg N/ha) in sub plots with three replications to study the effect of sowing dates and nitrogen levels on growth and yield of Indian mustard. Results revealed that October 15 sown crop resulted in significantly higher total plant biomass and its partitioning at different growth stages, yield attributes, yields and oil content. Delaying the sowing dates from October 15 to November 15 reduced seed yield by 39.3 percent. Among the nitrogen levels, application of 100 kg N/ha led to record higher total biomass and its partitioning at all growth stages and resulted in higher yield attributes and seed yield. Oil content decreased with increased levels of nitrogen.