Effect of root bio-stimulant and organic foliar spray on growth of mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Introduction

Oil seeds have prestigious place in Indian agriculture next to cereals. Oilseeds are the most important crops in India both in respect of remunerative return per unit area and wider adaptability under constrained Agri-climatic conditions. India is world's fourth largest edible oil economy after the U.S., China and Brazil, and is the second largest importer after China. India is the largest rapeseed-mustard growing country in the world occupying the first position in area and second position in production after China. Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) commonly known as raya, rai or laha is an important oilseed crop, among the brassica group of oilseeds in India. It is the third important oilseed crop in the world after soybean (Glycine max) and palm (Elaeis guineensis J.). The area, production and productivity of mustard in India is 5.96 million ha, 8.32 million tons and 1397 kg ha, respectively (Anonymous, 2019).Indian mustard is predominantly cultivated in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, also grown under some non-traditional areas of South India including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. However, Indian mustard occupies the largest area in Uttar Pradesh. India has a wide range of agroclimatic conditions for growing mustard, from highlands in the northeast and northwest to lowlands with timely sowing, salty soils, rain-fed crops, and mixed cropping systems. Currently, mustard farming is expanding into new ecosystems and accounts for about 11.75 million tonnes, or 27.8%, of India's total oil seed production. Nevertheless, with an average productivity of 1230 kg/ha, much less than the global average productivity, this output is produced on just 25% (9.17 million hectares) of India's total oil-seed farmed area (DACNET, 2023). A root bio-stimulant is a synthetic or natural substance that improves root development and function to stimulate plant growth. These stimulants help plants tolerate environmental stressors, strengthen their root systems, and enhance nutrient absorption. Humic acids, seaweed extracts, vitamins, amino acids, and good microorganisms (such as mycorrhizae or rhizobacteria) are examples of common constituents. Bio stimulants improve soil quality, boost yields, and support general plant health by triggering biological activities in the root zone. In order to organically maximise plant performance, they are commonly utilised in gardening, horticulture, and agriculture. An organic foliar spray is a natural plant health and growth enhancer that is applied directly to plant leaves in the form of a liquid solution. The spray offers a rapid and effective method of addressing nutrient deficits, promoting development, or guarding against pests and diseases by allowing plants to absorb nutrients through their foliage. popular ingredients in organic foliar sprays are fish emulsion, seaweed extract, compost tea, molasses, aloe vera, and epsom salt. In organic gardening and sustainable farming, organic foliar sprays are frequently utilised as a green way to encourage plant health without using artificial chemicals. Using a sprayer, they can be sprayed in the early morning or late afternoon to maximise absorption and prevent direct sunlight from burning the leaves.

Materials and Methods

The experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024-2025 at the Himalayan university field, Department of Agronomy, Himalayan University, Jollang. This area is situated on the front site of the University and by the back site of central jail, jollang. All the facilities required for crop cultivation were available. The materials used and methods adopted in the present experiment "Effect of Root bio-stimulant and Organic Foliar Spray on growth and yield of mustard (Brassica juncea L.)" The soil of the experimental field constituting a part of neutral and deep. Pre-sowing soil samples were taken from a depth of 15 cm with the help of an auger. The soil was sandy loam in texture, low in organic carbon and medium in available nitrogen, phosphorus and low in potassium. The experiment was carried out in Randomized block design consisting of 7 treatments combinations with 3 replications and was laid out with the different treatments allocated randomly in each replications. Root bio-stimulant applied were SOMRE and mycorrhizae and Organic foliar spary used were 5% vermiwash,5% panchgavya and 10% jeevamrut. Germination test was done using paper towel and petri dish under room temperature conditions. The spacing adopted was (plant to plant 30 cm and 20 cm and row to row 20 cm and 10 cm) and the seeds were drilled at 2-3 cm depth. Weeding was done to remove all weeds from the field in order to check any form of initial crop-weed competition and which also checks the spread of diseases. Hand weeding was done after 20 DAS and 25 DAS.: Irrigation at initial stages of the crop. First irrigation at 25-30 DAS and second 40-45 DAS.

Data presented in Table 1, tabulated with parameter plant height (cm) of Brassica juncea and there was increasing in crop age plant height was progressively increased with the advancement of the experimentation. The plant height was significantly higher in all different growth intervals. At harvest, the maximum plant height (181.33 cm) was was found to be statistically significant in treatment T6 (Mycorrhizae + 5% Panchgavya), T2 (Somre + 5% Vermiwash) i.e 178.23 cm and lowest in to (control)i.e. 152 cm. The probable reasons could be because of the root biostimulant (Mycorrhizae + 5% Panchgavya) and foliar spray (Somre + 5% Vermiwash) resulted in significantly taller plants.

Taller plant \s at closer spacing might due to longer internodes and more terminal growth. Through these experiments, they found that because of the root bio-stimulant (Mycorrhizae + 5% Panchgavya) and foliar spray (Somre + 5% Vermiwash) resulted in significantly taller plants with higher dry matter accumulation.These findings suggested that proper root bio-stimulant and foliar spray management can positively impact the growth and yield of Brassica juncea. [7] .

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