Yield, nutrient uptake and economics of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) influenced by nutrient doses and planting geometry under new alluvial zone of West Bengal

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during 2017-19 to study the effect of different doses of nutrients and planting geometries on the performance ofIndian mustard under new alluvial zone ofWest Bengal. The field experiment was conducted in split plot design with three replications, having twenty treatment combinations of five nutrient doses in main plot and four crop geometries in subplot. Seed yield (1751 kg/ha) of Indian mustard with 75:50:50 kg N, P2O5 and K2O/ha, respectively (125 % RDF) was at par with 60:40:40 kg N, P2O5 and K2O/ha, respectively i.e. 100% RDF (1674 kg/ha) and 90:60:60 kg N, P2O5 and K2O/ha, respectively i.e. 150 % RDF (1733 kg/ha) andsignificantly higher than 45:30:30 kg N, P2O5 and K2O/ha, respectively i.e. 75 % RDF. Application of 90:60:60 kg N, P2O5 and K2O/ha, respectively registered 42.5 % more stover yield over 45:30:30 kg N, P2O5 and K2O/ha,respectively and was significantly superior to all lower doses of nutrients. Application of 45:30:30 kg N, P2O5 and K2O/ha, respectively resulted in higher oil content than other nutrient doses. Highest protein content obtained with the 75:50:50 kg N, P2O5 and K2O/ha, respectively was significantly higher than 30:20:20 kg N, P2O5 and K2O/ha, respectively and 45:30:30 kg N, P2O5 and K2O/ha, respectively. Highest oil and protein yield registered with application of 75:50:50 kg N, P2O5 and K2O/ha, respectively were at par with the 60:40:40 kg N, P2O5 and K2O/ha, respectively and 90:60:60 kg N, P2O5 and K2O/ha, respectively for oil yield and 90:60:60 kg N, P2O5 and K2O/ha, respectively for protein yield. Economics revealed that application of 75:50:50 kg N, P2O5 and K2O/ha, respectively gave maximum net return (` 43,250/ha) and B:C ratio of 3.01. The highest seed yield obtained with the 25 x 20 cm spacing (1644 kg/ha) was significantly higher than all other treatments of planting geometry. This treatment registered 24.2 % more seed yield over 25 x 15 cm planting geometry. Plant spacing of 25 x 20 cm registered more stover yield and showed parity with 30 x 15 cm spacing. Closer spacing (25 x 20 cm and 25 x 15 cm) resulted in significantly higher oil content over all other crop geometries. Planting geometry of 25 x 20 cm registered highest oil yield and was comparable only with 30 x 15 cm. However, highest protein yield observed with the 30 x 30 cm spacing was on par with 25 x 20 cm and 30 x 20 cm plant spacing. Plant spacing of 25 x 20 cm gave highest net return (`43,260). However, maximum benefit: cost ratio (3.51) was recorded with the plant spacing of 30 x 15 cm.