Yield and quality of rainfed Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) as influenced by integrated nutrient management under loamy sand soils

An investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management on the growth, yield and economics of Indian mustard for three consecutive years (2019-20 to 2021-22) at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Bawal under rainfed condition. Nutrients have paid dividends in yield revolutions in agriculture and will continue to contribute significantly to future food security. Pooled data from three years reveal that different nutrient management treatments had higher growth and yield attributes of Indian mustard over control. Application of 30:30:15 kg NPK/ha (inorganic) + 30 kg N/ha (through FYM) recorded a significantly higher number of primary branches per plant and siliqua per plant over control. Yield attributes viz. siliqua length, numbers of seeds per siliqua, and 1000-seed weight were not significantly influenced by different nutrient management treatments. Application of 30:30:15 kg NPK/ha (inorganic) + 30 kg N/ha (FYM) recorded significantly higher seed yield (18.74 q/ha) of mustard compared to other treatments except 60:30:15 kg N P K/ha and 25:25:12.5 kg NPK/ha (inorganic) + 25 kg N/ha (FYM). Highest net returns (Rs. (₹) 53,695 /ha), B:C ratio (2.50), and rain-water use efficiency (18.28 kg/ha-mm) were also recorded with the application of 30:30:15 kg NPK/ha (inorganic) + 30 kg N/ha (FYM). Available NPK kg/ha in soil at harvest were significantly higher under 30:30:15 kg NPK/ha (inorganic) + 30 kg N/ha (FYM) over control. Oil content, nitrogen content and protein content (%) in seed do not differ significantly under various nutrient management treatments but oil yield of mustard was significantly higher with the application of 30:30:15 kg NPK/ha (inorganic) + 30 kg N/ha (FYM) and remained statistically at par with 60:30:15 kg N P K/ha. Our studies suggest a paradigm shift in nutrient management practices and strategies for attaining higher yield, nutrient use efficiency, economic profitability with lower environmental footprints.