Conservation agriculture practices and sulphur fertilization effects on productivity and resource-use efficiency of rainfed mustard (Brassica juncea)

Abstract

Moisture and sulphur deficiency in soil are major reasons for low productivity of mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.] in rainfed semi-arid areas. To overcome this problem a field experiment was conducted during 2013-15 to find out the effect of conservation agriculture and sulphur fertilization on productivity and resource-use efficiency of mustard under rainfed conditions. Five tillage and residue management practices, i.e. conventional tillage with 0, 2 and 4 t/ha crop residue; zero tillage with 2 and 4 t/ha crop residue were allocated to main plots and four sulphur levels (0, 15, 30 and 45 kg S/ha) in sub-plots. Result showed that zero tillage with 4 t/ha crop residue produced 24.6% higher mustard seed yield than conventional tillage without residue resulted maximum net returns (44.7 × 103 ₹/ ha). Similarly, highest water use efficiency (12.7 kg/ha mm) and total nutrient uptake were also recorded in the same treatment. Increasing levels of sulphur (S) up to 45 kg/ha significantly increased seed and oil yield (37.5%). However, sulphur use efficiency was decreased with graded levels of sulphur. Conversely, higher net returns (47.6 × 103 ₹/ha) and benefit-cost ratio (1.89) were fetched with 45 kg S/ha.