Yield, quality and economics of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) under different nutrient supply in clay loam soils of Rajasthan

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Kota during the rabi seasons of 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 to find out suitable nutrient management practices for Indian mustard sown on clay loam soil after harvest of urdbean. The treatments consisted of 12 nutrient management practices viz.,T1:control,T2:100% P40K30 kg/ha,T3:100% N80P40K30 kg/ha,T4:150% N120P60K45 kg/ha, T5:100% N80P40K30+S40 kg/ha,T6:100% N80P40K30+Zn5 kg/ha, T7:100% N80P40K30+ B1 kg/ha,T8:100% N80P40K30+ farm yard manure (FYM) 2.5 t/ha, T9:100% N80P40 kg/ha,T10: 100% N80K30 kg/ha,100% N80P40K30+S40+Zn5+B1 kg/ha+ FYM 2.5 t/ha,T12:125% N100P50 K37.5 kg/ha. Application of 100% RDF(N80P40K30+S40+Zn5+B1kg/ha) along with FYM 2.5 t/ha had significance influenced on branches/plant(16.36), siliquae /plant (230.77),seeds/siliqua (16.20), 1000-seed weight (5.32 g),seed weight/plant(15.00 g),seed yield(2517 kg/ha),oil content (39.30%), protein content(21.08%) and gross return(₹107774/ha) over control,100% P40K30 kg/ha,100% N80 K30 kg/ha and 100% N80P40 kg/ha and at par with rest of treatments. While the highest net return (₹82723/ha) and harvest index (32.47%) recorded under application of 125% RDF (N100P50K37.5 kg/ha) which was significantly higher than control, 100% P40K30 kg/ha, 100% N80P40K30 kg/ha, 100% N80P40K30+ B1 kg/ha, 100% N80K30 kg/ha and 100% N80P40 kg/ha and at par with rest of nutrient management treatments. The highest benefit cost ratio of 3.34 recorded under the same treatment, but it was significantly superior over control, 100% P40 K30 kg/ha, 100% N80P40 kg/ha and 100% RDF (N80P40K30+S40+Zn5+B1 kg+FYM 2.5 t/ha and at par with rest of treatments. Thus, the results showed that mustard fertilized with 100% RDF (N80P40K30+S40+Zn5+B1 kg/ha) along with FYM 2.5 t/ha was found beneficial for obtaining higher seed yield and net returns in irrigated areas of south-eastern Rajasthan.