Effect of fertilizer, bioinoculant and liquid micronutrient on yield and economics of mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Introduction

India's primary rabi oilseed crop is mustard. Rai is the usual term for Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.), Czern & Coss). Given that the supposed parent species, B. nigra and B. campestris, would have crossed, the Middle East appears to be the origin. (Mizushima and Tsunoda 1967, Olson 1960) [6][7] . Its seeds contain a suitable amount of linolenic acid (4.5-13%) and erucic acid (40-60%). Due to its abundance of unsaturated fatty acids, mustard oil is good for human consumption and health. According to Brar et al., (2016) [2] , seed meal has 14-15% carbs, 35-40% protein, 10-12% fiber, 4-6% ash, 1.0-1.5% vitamins and minerals and only 2-3% glucosinolate. Besides China and Canada, India is the world's third-largest producer of rapeseed-mustard, accounting for around 14% of global production. According to the ICAR-Indian Institute of Rapeseed-Mustard Research, Bharatpur 2023-24, rapeseed-mustard makes up 30.3% of the total acreage and 33.2% of the production under the nine oilseed crops grown in India. In comparison to the combined oilseed crop production of 1314 kg ha -1 , the average yield of rapeseed and mustard is around 1443 kg ha -1 . While most states in the nation plant rapeseedmustard, Rajasthan (45.40%), Madhya Pradesh (13.28%), Uttar Pradesh (14.24%), Haryana (10.78%) and West Bengal (6.0%) account for the majority of production. The administration of chemical fertilizers in commercial agriculture cannot be completely eliminated. However, integrated applications of multiple fertilizer sources are needed to maintain soil fertility and the desired level of crop output. Depending on how well they mobilize various nutrients, biofertilizers provide a less expensive, less capital-intensive and environmentally friendly way to increase farm output. Micronutrients provide many advantages for agricultural productivity in a variety of climates. At various phases of crop growth, the combined application of chemical fertilizers, bioinoculants and liquid micronutrients shows great promise for improving production qualities, enhancing yield potential and conserving soil health.

Materials and Methods

The present experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2024-25 at Agronomy Farm, College of Agriculture, Nagpur. Biometric observation like number of siliqua plant -1 , five observational plants were counted in order to determine the average number of siliquae, the five observational plant's siliquas were collected, individually threshed and the number of seeds silique -1 was counted, seed yield plant -1 (g) was recorded by threshing five observation plants and threshed seeds were separated from stover and weighted, test weight (g) was calculated by weighted 1000 seeds from each treatment with the help of electronic balance, seed yield (q ha -1 ) arising from harvested produce of each net plot was threshed manually and yield obtained from each net plot was then converted into grain yield q ha -1 , straw yield q ha -1 was recorded by separating the threshed seed from straw and then weight it, harvest index is distinct as the ratio of grain yield to the total biological yield (seed and straw) and is expressed in percentage, the total cost of cultivation was calculated by considering the inputs used in each treatment with prevailing market rates, the total value of produce i.e., grain and straw yield was calculated treatment wise as per the prevailing market rate and gross monetary returns were calculated, Net monetary returns were calculated by subtracting the cost of cultivation ha -1 from gross monetary returns ha -¹ and the benefit cost ratio was calculated by dividing the gross monetary returns with total cost of cultivation. [4] and Sunil Kumar et al., (2016) [10] .

Results and Discussion

Number of seeds silique -1

Application of 100% RDF (T 1 ) gave significantly higher number of seeds silique [3] and Pradeep Dhaka et al., (2023) [9] .

Among the treatment, application of 100% RDF (T 1 ) recorded significantly maximum seed yield plant -1 (9.18 g) over rest of the treatments and was at par with the treatments 75% RDF + Azotobacter + PSB + Consortia (T 8 ) and 75% RDF + Consortia + PDKV Liquid Micro grade II (T 11 ) at harvest. The increased seed yield plant -1 (g) was likely due to the abundant nutrient supply provided by the treatment, due to these higher photosynthesis and translocation of assimilates towards reproductive structures which led to greater seed yield production. Similar result on variation in seed yield plant -1 was also reported by Patle et al., (2022) [8] and Pradeep Dhaka et al., (2023) [9] .

The test weight (g) of mustard was not significantly influenced by different treatments. The maximum test weight (5.31 g) was found in treatment with 100% RDF (T 1 ) while the minimum test weight (4.68 g) was recorded in 75% RDF + PSB (T 3 ).

Application of 100% RDF (T 1 ) found significantly highest seed yield (12.08 q ha -1 ) over all rest of the treatments but was at par with the treatments of 75% RDF + Azotobacter + PSB + Consortia (T 8 ) and 75% RDF + Consortia + PDKV Liquid Micro grade II (T 11 ). The higher seed yield (q ha -1 ) may be attributed to the integration and consistent supply of mineral fertilizers, particularly nitrogen, which ensured uninterrupted nutrient availability throughout the crop's growth stages. This prevented nutrient stress, promoted vigorous growth and supported efficient assimilate partitioning towards reproductive structures, ultimately resulting in improved seed yield. These results are in accordance with the findings of Pradeep Dhaka et al., (2023) [9] and Tripathy et al., (2023) [11] .

Application of 100% RDF (T 1 ) found significantly highest straw yield (32.64 q ha -1 ) over all rest of the treatments but was at par with the 75% RDF + Azotobacter + PSB + Consortia (T 8 ), 75% RDF + Consortia + PDKV Liquid Micro grade II (T 11 ) and 75% RDF + Azotobacter + Consortia (T 6 ). These results might be due to the application of N & P fertilizers, which enhanced phosphorus availability and its active role in promoting root and shoot development, thereby improving overall plant growth and contributing to higher straw yield in mustard. These results are in agreement with those reported by Vinay Singh and R. B. Singh (2020) [12] & Patle et al., (2022) [8] .

Numerically highest value of harvest index recorded (27.01%) with 100% RDF (T 1 ) while the lowest number of harvest index of mustard was recorded (24.31%) in treatment of 75% RDF + Azotobacter (T 2 ).

Application of 100% RDF (T 1 ) recorded significantly maximum gross monetary returns (₹ 75131 ha -1 ) than other treatments. The minimum gross monetary returns (GMR) of ₹ 51879 ha -1 were recorded with the application of 75% RDF + PSB (T 3 ). This was due to produce higher seed and straw yield resulting gave maximum gross returns (₹ ha -1 ).

The similar results were noticed by Mehetre et al., (2019) [5] and Tripathy et al., (2023) [11] .

It was observed that, significantly highest net monetary returns recorded with application of 100% RDF (T 1 ) (₹ 48893 ha -1 ) over rest of the treatments. This was due to produce higher seed and straw yield resulting gave maximum net returns (₹ ha -1 ). These findings were in agreement with Meena et al., (2013) [4] , Mehetre et al., (2019) [5] and Tripathy et al., (2023) [11] .

B:C ratio

The maximum benefit cost ratio (2.86) of mustard was recorded by application of 100% RDF (T 1 ) followed by 75% RDF + Azotobacter + PSB + Consortia (T 8 ) & 75% RDF + Consortia + PDKV Liquid Micro grade II (T 11 ) and the lowest benefit cost ratio (2.02) was obtained with the application of 75% RDF + PSB (T 3 ). Benefit cost ratio was high due to higher production of seed and stover yield of Indian mustard crop.

Conclusion

From the present studies, it can be concluded that application of 100% RDF shows higher yield & yield attributing characters and economics viz., number of silique plant -1 , number of seeds siliqua -1 , seed yield plant -1 (g), test weight, seed yield (q ha -1 ), straw yield (q ha -1 ) and harvest index also recorded highest value of gross monetary returns, net monetary returns and B:C ratio in mustard crop which comparable with treatment 75% RDF + Azotobacter + PSB + Consortia and 75% RDF + Consortia + PDKV Liquid Micro grade II as this was at par to each other.

References

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