Frost management in mustard under climate change scenario in semi arid ecosystem of Rajasthan

Abstract

Among various factors, in recent years climate change becomes a major challenge for the food security of the country. Extreme events such as frost, heat stress, moisture stress, new diseases, pests & weeds become a major hindrance in successful crop production. Frost (Pala, Tusar or daha in Hindi) is a localized phenomenon, which is fairly common in northern India. Due to Climate change frost becomes a regular phenomenon in recent years in semi arid regions of Rajasthan. The predominantly grown mustard (Brassica juncea L.) is highly susceptible to frost injury. Mustard crop suffers badly due to the attack of frost in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013& 2014 in Rajasthan. An experiment was conducted during Rabi seasons (2011-12 to 2013-14) at Research form RARI Durgapura on sandy loam soil. Application of thiourea @ 500 ppm, wettable sulphur @ 0.2%), thiosalicylic acid @100 ppm, salicylic acid @100 ppm and H2SO4@0.1% being at par significantly increased seed and stover yield of mustard and recorded the lowest yield losses. The maximum net returns (Rs 38019/ha) along with the highest B:C ratio (2.61) was accrued due to application of thiourea followed by thiosalicylic acid and wettable sulphur. The Spray of thiourea (500 ppm), wettable sulphur (0.2%) or thio-salicylic acid (100 ppm) or salicylic acid (100 ppm) at pre flowering and seed formation stage was found to be effective in mitigating the adverse impact of frost in mustard. This study may help to understand and select suitable treatments to reduce frost impact on growing mustard in environmental conditions under semi-arid zone of India.