Mustard Crop Research Articles

Biological soil quality and seasonal variation on enzyme activities under conservation agriculture-based rice–mustard system in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

Context Biological quality of soil under rice-based cropping in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India is greatly influenced by different tillage and residue management practices. Aims The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of seasonal variation on enzyme activity and assessing biological soil quality (BSQ) under conservation agriculture (CA)-based rice–mustard cropping. Methods Soil samples were collected in the ninth year of a medium-term CA-based experiment in autumn, winter, spring and summer seasons from two soil depths (0–5 cm, 5–15 cm) and analysed for biological attributes (microbial biomass carbon, MBC; Walkley–Black carbon, WBC; total organic carbon, TOC), and enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatase, and arylsulphatase). Key results A CA-based triple zero till (ZT) system with three crops residue treatments (ZT direct-seeded rice (DSR) with mungbean residue; ZT mustard (ZTM) with rice residue; and ZT summer mungbean (SMB) with mustard residue (∼ZTDSR–ZTM–ZTSMB (+R)) resulted in highest values of MBC, WBC and TOC at the 0–5 cm soil depth. Enzymes activities were highest during summer. Principal component analysis (PCA) and showed that arylsulphatase activity and TOC were sensitive indicators of BSQ. To validate soil quality indices (SQIs), regression analyses with rice equivalent yield (REY) of the rice–mustard system were done and better relationship observed with biological soil quality indices (BSQI) BSQIGMean (0.69–0.71) than BSQIPCA (0.65–0.66) based method. Conclusions Treatment with ZTDSR–ZTM–ZTSMB (+R) had the highest values of BSQI using GMean and PCA. Implications This CA-based triple ZT with residue practice [ZTDSR–ZTM–ZTSMB (+R)] is recommended for rice–mustard cropping for maintaining higher biological quality of soil in this region of India.

Response of soluble synthetic fertilizers with varying concentration of liquid manures on growth and yield of mustard at Dehradun district of Uttarakhand

This study was performed at Agriculture research farm of Shri Guru Ram Rai University, Dehradun, (U.K), India. In order to investigate the effect of soluble nutrients with varying concentration of liquid manure on growth parameters, various yields and yield attributes of mustard crop, field experiment was carried out during summer season (2019-20) at Research Block of S.G.R.R. University, Dehradun Uttarakhand. The layout of experimental field was laid randomized block design (RBD) with 7 treatments and 3 replications. Consisting of T1 (Control), T2 RDF (NPK 12:32:16), T3 (Vermiwash) @5%, T4 (cow urine) @5%, T5 (vermiwash @5% +cow urine @ 5%), T6 (N: P: K (19:19:19) Soluble @ 2%+cow urine @ 5%)), T7 (N: P: K (19:19:19) Soluble @ 2% +vermiwash @5%). All treatments were applied two times at 20 days interval. The results indicated that among all the treatments, T7 (N: P: K (19:19:19) Soluble @ 3% +vermiwash @5%), overall was found best for farmer point of view with respect to plant height (113.3 cm), number of seeds/siliqua (18.3), test weight (1000 –seed weight) (4.36gm), seed yield (1515.9 kg/ ha), and stover yield (1851.81 kg/ ha) at harvest and net return (51407.5 rs/ha), gross return (70787.5), B:C ratio (2.65). Based on present investigation, it can be concluded that the combination of both soluble fertilizer with liquid manure are applied that improved yield and yield attributes of mustard crop under present agro-climatic conditions.

Impact of torrefaction conditions on the physicochemical properties of mustard crop residue

Abstract Torrefaction process is related to pyrolysis treatment in an inert atmosphere which is employed to improve the chemical and physical properties of biomass/solid fuels for energy generation. In present study, mustard crop residue (MCR) which is an abundantly available lignocellulosic waste was torrefied at three different temperatures (200 °C, 250 °C, and 300 °C) for three different residence time (30, 45, and 60 min). Mass yield, energy yield, high heating value, elemental composition, ash content, and volatile matter content of raw and torrefied MCR are computed. The functional behavior and combustion characteristics of raw and torrefied MCR was studied by Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectrometry (FTIR). The mass and energy yield of torrefied MCR were found to decrease with an increase in torrefaction temperature and residence time. Elemental analysis of torrefied MCR showed an increase in weight percentage of carbon with increase in temperature and residence time of torrefaction due to release of oxygen congaing volatiles. The high heating value was found to upgrade from 16.92 MJ kg−1 for raw MCR to 21.93 MJ kg−1 of torrefied MCR at higher torrefaction temperature and time. FTIR analysis confirmed that hydroxyl group content decreased due to release of H2O, CO, and CO2. Therefore, torrefaction is found to be an effective treatment process for improving physicochemical properties of MCR.

Improving N, P, K content, other properties of soil and system productivity through integrated nutrient management practices in SRI hybrid rice -mustard cropping sequence in Eastern India

A field experiment was conducted at Regional Research and Technology Transfer Station of Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi during the year 2013-14 and 2014-15 to study the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) practices on yield of hybrid rice grown under system of rice intensification (SRI) during kharif season followed by mustard during rabi season and it's residual effect on different soil properties. Eight treatment combinations comprising of K1: RDF i.e.,120:60:60 kg N:P2O5:K2O ha-1 (1/3rd N each at transplanting (TP), active tillering (AT) and panicle initiation (PI), K2:50 % RDF (1/3rd N each at TP, AT and PI) + FYM 5 t ha-1, K3:75 %RDF (1/3rd N each at TP, AT and PI) + FYM 5 t ha-1 , K4:100 % RDF (1/3rd N each at TP, AT and PI) + FYM 5 t ha-1, K5:100% RDF (½ N at TP, ¼th N at AT, ¼ th N at PI) + FYM 5 t ha-1 , K6:100 % RDF (¼th N at TP, ½ N at AT, ¼ th N at PI) + FYM 5 t ha-1, K7:50% RDF (1/3rd N each at TP, AT and PI) + FYM 10 t ha-1 and K8: FYM 5 t ha-1 + Vermicompost (VC) 2.5 ha-1 + Azospirillum 5 kg ha-1 + PSB 5 kg ha-1 were applied to hybrid rice var. Ajay grown under SRI method during kharif season and during rabi season mustard was grown taking the eight kharif season plots as main plot and three nutrient management practices viz., R1:100% RDF (40:20:20 kg N:P2O5:K2O ha-1), R2: 50% RDF + Azotobacter and R3-control (no fertilizer) in sub-plot and replicated thrice. The results revealed that application of 100% RDF + FYM 5 t ha-1 to rice registered significantly higher grain (7545 kg ha-1) and straw yield (7241 kg ha-1) of rice and higher seed yield (806 kg ha-1), stover yield(1423 kg ha-1), harvest index (36.3%) of subsequent mustard crop and system rice equivalent yield (9629 kg ha-1). Application of 50% RDF with BF to mustard recorded higher soil organic carbon and pH than RDF and control. The decrease in bulk density was more in the plots applied with 50% RDF+10t FYM to kharif rice (1.38 Mg m-3) and 50% RDF + BF to rabi mustard (1.41 Mg m-3). The available N, P and K content of soil increased to 237.6, 17.1 and 374.9 kg ha-1 from its initial value 148.2, 12.7 and 352.4 kg ha-1, respectively, at the end of second year with application of 50% RDF + BF to mustard.

Soil quality indices in a conservation agriculture based rice-mustard cropping system in North-western Indo-Gangetic Plains

The systematic research on the effect of medium-term conservation agriculture (CA) on soil quality, especially under the rice (Oryza sativa L.)-based cropping systems is limited. Hence, the specific objective of the study was to develop soil quality indices with key soil physical, chemical and biological indicators under the conservation and conventional tillage practices in a rice–mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.] cropping system. Eight treatment combinations including tillage and crop establishment, crop residue and cropping system intensification with inclusion of short duration summer mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] were adopted in rice - mustard cropping system in hot semi-arid, sub-tropical north-western Indo-Gangetic Plains agro-ecoregion of India. Soil samples collected from topsoil (0−5 cm) and 5−15 cm soil layer were analyzed for 15 physical, chemical and biological properties to develop unified soil quality index (SQI) through principal component analysis (PCA). The highest SQI was obtained in the zero till direct seeded rice (ZTDSR) – zero till mustard (ZTM) –ZT summer mungbean (ZTSMB (+R) (mungbean residue in ZTDSR - rice residue in ZTM- mustard residue in ZTSMB) treatment followed by the ZTDSR + BM (brown manuring) – ZTM (+R) (mustard residue in ZTDSR with BM – rice residue in ZTM). The lowest SQI was obtained in transplanted puddled rice (TPR) - conventional till mustard (CTM) for both soil layers. The identified key indicators for SQI in this Inceptisol were saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), pH, total N, available P, and available K. Besides, the plots under ZTDSR – ZTM – ZTSMB (+R) resulted in 14 % higher total organic C in topsoil and 28 % higher aggregate stability than the TPR - CTM plots. This ZTDSR – ZTM -ZTSMB (+R) treatment had 65 % higher surface soil microbial biomass C than the TPR – CTM treatment. The ZTDSR – ZTM -ZTSMB (+R) treatment also led to higher Ks, which was in the order of triple ZT > double ZT > ZT > conventional tillage. Thus, the medium-term CA with triple or double zero tillage with crop residue retention could lead to maintain agricultural sustainability under rice-mustard system. Hence, it may be recommended to the farmers for adoption.

Effect of integrated nutrient management on yield and uptake of nutrients in pearl millet (Pennisetun glaucum)- mustard (Brassica juncea) crop sequence

A field experiment was conducted at Panwari Village of Agra district (U.P.) during 2015-16 and 2016-17 to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)- Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L) crop sequence. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with six treatments and three replications. The results revealed that the application of 100% recommended dose of N, P and K fertilizers recorded significantly higher grain (4.10t ha-1) and stover (10.72t ha-1) yields of pearl millet over 75% NPK and control. The yield (4.02 and 0.40 t ha-1) of pearl millet obtained with 75% NPK + 10 t FYM ha-1 + Azotobacter, was at par with 100% NPK fertilizers. Application of 10t FYM ha-1 was also found to be beneficial in terms of yield of the crop over control. The protein content in pearl millet grain (10.6%) was higher under 100% NPK treatment over other treatments. Similarly, the uptake of nutrients (N, P and K) by pearl millet crop was significantly higher under 100% N, P and K fertilizers over control. The yield of succeeding mustard crop increased significantly under the treatment in which previous pearl millet crop had 10 t FYM ha-1 along with 75% NPK fertilizer and Azotobacter. Residual effect of 10t FYM ha-1 along with 75% NPK and Azotobacter produced the maximum seed and stover yield of mustard which was 15.1% higher in seed and 15.4% in stover production over 100% NPK alone, respectively. The quality of mustard seed (oil content) was significantly higher with combined use of organics and fertilizers. The uptake of nutrients by mustered crop was significantly higher under residual effect of integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizer over other treatments.

Performance of different Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) varieties with saline water and graded fertilizer doses under semi-arid conditions of Haryana

Aim: The existing research was undertaken to approximate the significance of interactive effects of varieties X fertilizer doses in mustard crop with saline water irrigation undersemi-arid conditions of Haryana. Methodology: The experiment comprised of mustard varieties viz. Kranti, Giriraj, CS-54 and CS-58 and three fertilizer doses viz. recommended fertilizer dose (RDF), i.e., 60:20:20, 125% of recommended fertilizer dose and 150% of recommended fertilizer dose under semi-arid conditions of Haryana. The study was carried out in a split plot design with varieties in main plots and fertilizer doses in subplots irrigated with 7 dSm-1 saline water. Results: Statistical analysis devised that both variety and fertilizer doses had significant effect on plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, number of siliquae per plant, number of seeds per siliqua, seed and straw yield. The interaction of variety and fertilizer dose had significant effect only on the seed yield. All the treatments and varieties were found economically positive but 150% fertilizer dose was proved to be more economical with highest net returns and B: C ratio in variety Giriraj, Kranti, CS-54 and CS- 58, respectively. Interpretation: Amongst four varieties CS-58 was better performer for all the growth and yield parameters with application of 150% recommended fertilizer dose under saline water irrigation.

Higher richness and abundance of flower-visiting insects close to natural vegetation provide contrasting effects on mustard yields

The conservation of pollinating insects in agriculture is a global concern since the diversity of such organisms may affect the productivity of pollination-dependent crops. In this study, we assessed (i) how distances from natural vegetation affect the diversity (guilds, richness, abundance) of flower-visiting insects within mustard crops in Nepal, (ii) how insect richness and abundance are related to mustard yields (weight of seeds) and (iii) the contribution of flower-visiting insects to mustard pollination by conducting pollinator exclusion experiments. To analyse these data, we carried out (i) hierarchical clustering followed by a Procrustes analysis as well as a generalized linear mixed model and (ii), (iii) linear mixed models. We found that the guild composition was not similar near and far from natural vegetation, indicating a tendency for Apis bees to displace in opposite directions relative to non-Apis bees. Nevertheless, while both richness and abundance were higher nearer natural vegetation, the former showed a stronger and more positive effect on mustard yields than the latter. Furthermore, we found that mustard flowers have a significant requirement for insect pollination since productivity increased by ~70% with insect visitation. Overall, our data suggest that the diversity of flower-visiting insects enlarges nearer to natural vegetation. However, the results indicate that species richness may be more relevant than abundance to mustard production. As such, we suggest that the maintenance of natural vegetation could be considered a strategy for ensuring the presence of multiple pollinator species within mustard fields to promote its long-term sustainability in Nepal.

Short-Term Effect of Resource Conservation Practices on Soil Loss, Productivity and Energy Budgeting of Soybean–Mustard System in Table Lands of Chambal Ravine

Soil loss is the emerging issue and challenge for sustaining crop production, especially in rainfed ecosystem. Resource conservation with locally available amendments would provide protection against erosion and improve soil health. With this background, an experiment with combination of various amendments like gypsum, crop residue (CR), farm yard manure (FYM) with and without fertilizers was carried out in soybean–mustard cropping system in table lands under rainfed conditions of south eastern Rajasthan. Results of the experiment showed that resource conservation treatments (gypsum + CR + FYM) with fertilizers significantly improved grain yield by 53% over no amendment applied plots. Mean reduction in soil loss ~ 29% and runoff ~ 26% with combined application of gypsum, CR, FYM treatments in soybean was observed. Higher net returns (Rs 52,010 ha−1) and B:C (1.11) values were also observed in the treatment. Gypsum application reduced ESP values, enhanced soil S content and CR, FYM improved SOC content thereby conserving soil and water. Treatments with CR as amendment resulted in higher energy output, energy profitability, energy intensiveness, and treatments without CR showed highest energy efficiency (10.2) and energy productivity (8.2 kg MJ−1). Short-term effect of using economic and effective amendments has significant impact on resource conservation, productivity, energy parameters and by resource poor farmers to conserve soil and water and improve crop yield in rainfed ecosystem of India.

Weed Flora in Mustard- A review

Among all other oil seed crops mustard is the most important oil seed crop. They play wide role in economy of India. The productivity of mustard is reduced by various biotic and abiotic factors. The weed is one of the major factor to decline the productivity of mustard. The yield losses in mustard upto 45% caused by weeds. Weed flora is the life of plant that is related to weeds and they differ from place to place. The weed flora involve the population of both dicot and monocot weeds. The dicot species are more present than monocot species in mustard. The Chenopodium album, Melilotus indica, Anagallis arvensis, Cirsium arvense, Fumaria parviflora, Cornopus didymus, Phalaris minor, Rumex denticulatus, Vicia sativa, Carthamus oxycantha, Chenopodium murale, Avena ludoviciana, Medicago denticulatus etc. weeds are mostly present in mustard field. Weed flora related with soil characteristics, region, climate, cropping pattern and management factors. The weeds are noxious plant and compete with crop for wetness, light, space, nutrition supplements and reduce the quality and yield attributes of crops.

Pests of oil producing cabbage crops in the Eastern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Today the major oil producing crops from the Brassicaceae family in the world and Ukraine are winter rape (Brassica napus oleifera bienis D. C.) and spring rape (Brassica napus oleifera annua Metzg.). At present the acreage of these crops in the world is over 40 million hectares, and in Ukraine there are more than 1 million hectares. Less common crops are white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) and Chinese mustard (Brassica juncea Gzem.). The world acreage under the mustard crops is about 3,0 million hectares (in Ukraine there are about 100 thousand hectares). Other oil producing crops from the cabbage family such as spring winter cress (Brassica campestris L.), winter rape (Brassica rapa oleifera DC), winter false flax (Camelina sativa subsp. pilosa N. Zinge), spring false flax (Camelina sativa var. Glabrata (DC.), oily radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. oleiformis Pers) and black mustard (Brassica nigra (L.) Koch) occupy only a small area, while the Abyssinian mustard (Crambe abyssinica Hosts. ex. RE Fr.) is not grown in our country at all. It is impossible to obtain high and stable yields of all agricultural crops without protection of plants from the harmful insects. The losses of the crops due to the pests are huge, especially during the mass reproduction of the insects. The entomocomplex of agroceonoses of oil producing cabbage crops is extremely rich and contains several hundred species. As a result of their vital functions more than 50% of the crops can be lost and as far as 25-55% growth increase in the yield can be reached due to the pollinating insects. Despite the short-term existence of agroceonoses of spring oil producing cabbage crops (90-120 days) their entomofauna is characterised by a considerable diversity of species composition. During the vegetation periods in 2007–2019 in the fields of the Educational, Research and Production Centre “Research Field” of Kharkiv National Agrarian University named after V.V. Dokuchaiev and the State Enterprise “Research Farm “Elitne” of the Institute of Plant Growing named after V.Ya. Yuriev of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine we have found 54 species of specialised and multi-faceted pests of oil producing cabbage crops that belong to eight lines and 22 families. Among them 29 species are the specialised pests and 25 are multi-faceted ones. The frequency of the pest species occurrence on the crops is the following: eight species (15%) populate the crops on a mass scale, six species (11%) are moderately spread, and 40 species (74%) have a low population density. The cabbage bug, mustard bug, ground cabbage aphid, rose chafer, rape blossom beetle, mesographe flea beetle, flea beetle and diamond black moth belong to the species that populate the crops on a mass scale. Among them four species belong to the Coleoptera line, two species belong to the Hemiptera line, one species belong to the Homoptera line and one species belong to the Lepidoptera line. The representatives of the Coleoptera line dominate; their proportion in the entomological community structure is 48% (26 species). The economic importance of these pests is not the same and greatly depends on the population density and phenophase of the crop development as well as on weather conditions.

Winter wheat growth assessment using Temporal Normalized Phenology Index (TNPI) in Bhuj Taluka, Gujarat State, India

In the present study on winter crop growth monitoring in Bhuj Taluka of Kachchh district was carried out using multi-temporal Sentinel-2 multi-spectral data (spatial resolution 10-m). Sentinel-2 multi-spectral data for the period from October-2018 to March-2019 was analysed in this study. The major objective of this study was to generate crop growth profiles of different crops and identify the relationships between crop phenology and crop growth stages by generating Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) profiles of wheat and mustard crops.The results of spectral behavior of wheat (normal & late sown) and mustard during active growth stages indicated that these winter crops have distinct spectral signatures in Sentinel-2 spectral bands. The NDVI growth profiles of wheat and mustard indicate the temporal variations during different growth stages of these crops. The maximum temporal variations were observed during early growth stages to flowering & grain filling stages. The difference in sowing dates of wheat and mustard crops result in different phenological stages of these winter crops. The NDVI curve of Rabi Season-2018-19 was divided into different phenological growth phases namely, i) Phase-I: G0 (Spectral emergence) to G1(Flag leaf emergence), Phase-II: G1 (Flag leaf emergence) to Gmax (Flowering and Grain filling), Phase-III: Gmax (Flowering and Grain filling) to G2 (Dough Stage) and Phase-IV: G2 (Dough Stage) to G3 (Physiological Maturity). The temporal changes in the NDVI was analysed by computing the Temporal Normalized Phenology Index (TNPI) between different phenological phases from G0 to G3.Mean TNPI values of wheat crop for different phenological phases were computed which indicated that rising part of NDVI profile of growth phases from G0 to Gmax higher TNPI values whereas the declining part of NDVI profile of growth phases from Gmax to G3 showed lower TNPI values. The difference NDVI images were generated using the NDVI images of two different phenological phases of wheat crop which represent the temporal changes in wheat crop greenness, where “0” represents no temporal change and “1” represents the maximum temporal change in vegetation greenness across wheat crop areas in the study area.

EFFICACY OF VARIETY AND MUSTARD CROP RESIDUES ON WEED MANAGEMENT AND CROP PERFORMANCE OF TRANSPLANT AMAN RICE

Weed infestation in rice field is always subject to agro ecological condition and growing seasons. Weeds cause major yield losses in crops and also reduce their quality. An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to investigate the efficacy of mustard crop residues on weed management and crop performance of transplant aman rice. The experiment consisted of three cultivars and five different levels of mustard crop residues. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Weed population, weed dry weight and percent inhibition of weed were significantly influenced by mustard crop residues and cultivar. The maximum weed growth was noticed with the cultivar BRRI dhan34 and the minimum was found in the cultivar BRRI dhan49. The grain yield and other yield contributing characters produced by BRRI dhan49 was the highest among the studied varieties. The highest percent inhibition of 73.36, 78.82, 71.90, 76.83 and 81.53 found in Pani kachu, Chechra, Pani shapla, Shama and Sabuj nakful, respectively with the application of mustard crop residues at 3.0 t ha-1 + one hand weeding. It can be concluded that BRRI dhan49 and mustard crop residues showed potentiality to inhibit weed growth and it has a significant effect on the yield of transplant aman rice. Therefore, mustard crop residues could be recommended to use as an alternative tool for weed management.

Effect of irrigation levels, planting methods and mulching on nutrient uptake, yield, quality, water and fertilizer productivity of field mustard (Brassica rapa L.) under sandy loam soil

Adoption of suitable irrigation scheduling, planting technique and mulching can be very useful to improve the growth, yield and quality of field mustard crop which is mainly grown in winter season with residual moisture. A field experiment was carried out in winter seasons of 2014–15 and 2015–16 at crop research farm of Pantnagar, India to evaluate the effect of irrigation levels, planting methods and mulching on nutrient uptake, yield, quality, water and fertilizer productivity of field mustard [Brassica rapa (L.) var. trilocularis (Roxb.) Kitam] at sandy loam soil. Results revealed that irrigation at 1.2 irrigation water/ cumulative pan evaporation ratio (IW/CPE ratio) resulted in higher yield, N, P, K, and S uptake by plant, oil quality and fertilizer productivity and this irrigation level was at par with 0.9 IW/CPE ratio during 1st year of study when there was good amount of winter rainfall. Among different planting methods and mulching practices, raised bed planting and mulching with rice straw at 5000 kg ha−1 exhibited significantly higher yield, nutrient uptake, oil quality, water and fertilizer productivity of the crop than that of in flat bed planting and no-mulch. However, it was also recorded that water productivity was reduced by increasing the irrigation levels. From this study, it was evaluated that in a normal winter rainfall year field mustard could be irrigated at 0.9 IW/CPE ratio to achieve higher yield, quality and fertilizer productivity of the crop in sandy loam soil. While, irrigation should be given at 1.2 IW/CPE ratio if there is scarcity in winter rainfall.

Residues Analysis of Acetamiprid, Boscalid, Imidacloprid and Pyraclostrobin in the Minor Crop Mustard Green under Greenhouse Conditions for Evaluation of their Potentiality of PLS Violation

BACKGROUND: The demand for pesticide registration has kept increasing for minor crop cultivation in greenhouse since Positive List System (PLS) has been launched. Thus, much study on the evaluation of pesticide residues in minor crops is required to examine the demand. In this study, we evaluated residues of acetamiprid, boscalid, imidacloprid and pyraclostrobin in the minor crop mustard green to provide the potential data for their registration. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pesticide granule formulations of acetamiprid, boscalid, imidacloprid and pyraclostrobin were incorporated into soil and applied onto field soil surface at rates of 3 kg/10a, 6 kg/10a, 3 kg/10a and 6 kg/10a, respectively. The pesticides were also applied at the two times higher than the rates to compare the residues between the application rates. Mustard green seeds were sown 1 day after pesticide application and cultivated under greenhouse conditions. LC/MS/MS analyses coupled with a modified QuEChERs method were employed for determination of the pesticides in plant samples. The method limits of quantitation (LOQ) of the pesticides were 0.01 mg/kg, and the matrix calibration curves of the pesticides showed linearity with coefficient values of determination (r2) greater than 0.995. The average recovery values of the pesticides fortified in control samples at rates of LOQ and 10LOQ ranged from approximately 77.5% to 101.2% with relative standard deviation values lower than 14%. The pesticides in the mustard green samples cultivated for 53 days after sown were determined to be lower than the LOQ level. CONCLUSION: Acetamiprid, boscalid, imidacloprid and pyraclostrobin were found at a level lower than 0.01 mg/kg in the minor crop mustard green. Thus, their residues in mustard green would not violate PLS under greenhouse conditions.

Genetic diversity in leafy mustard (Brassica juncea var. rugosa) as revealed by agro-morphological traits and SSR markers.

Leafy mustard (B. juncea var. rugosa) constitutes an important group of vegetable mustard crops in India and is mainly cultivated in home-backyard and hilly regions of Uttarakhand and some North-eastern states. In the present study, various agro-morphological traits, physiological and biochemical traits along with SSR markers were used for genetic diversity evaluation in a germplasm collection of leafy mustard. This study revealed a significant variation among 59 accessions of leafy mustard in both qualitative and quantitative agro-morphological traits indicating the accessions' promising potential for consumption purpose and for use in breeding programs. Maximum variability was recorded for leaf area elongation rate (CV = 53.12%), followed by total plant weight (TPW) (CV = 50.63%) and seed yield per plant (CV = 44.33%). In molecular analysis, 155 SSRs evaluated resulted in 482 alleles and the number of alleles varied form 1 to 8 with an average of 3.11 alleles per marker. A total of 122 (78.70%) SSRs resulted into polymorphic amplicons. PIC value varied from 0.32 to 0.77 with an average value of 0.44 per SSR locus. The unweighted neighbour-joining-based dendrogram analysis divided all the 59 accessions into two major groups on the basis of both agro-morphological traits and SSR markers, whereas, three subpopulations/subgroups were predicted by population STRUCTURE analysis. AMOVA indicated the presence of more variability within population than among population. Overall, agro-morphologically better performing and genetically diverse genotypes have been identified which could be further used as donors for leafy mustard improvement programs.

Current achievements and future prospects of genetic engineering in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss.).

Transgenic technology in Indian mustard has expedited crop improvement programs. Further, there is a need to optimize gene editing protocols and find out the suitable target genes to harvest the benefits of gene editing technology in this important edible oilseed crop. Brassica juncea is an economically and industrially important oilseed crop being grown mainly in India and in some parts of Canada, Russia, China and Australia. Besides being consumed as edible oil, it also has numerous applications in food and paint industry. However, its overall production and productivity are being hampered by a number of biotic and abiotic stress factors. Further, its oil and seedmeal quality needs to be improved for increasing food as well as feed value. However, the lack of resistant crossable germplasm or varieties necessitated the use of genetic engineering interventions in Indian mustard crop improvement. A number of genes conferring resistance to biotic stresses including lectins for aphids' control, chitinase, glucanase and osmotin for disease control and for abiotic stresses, CODA, LEA and ion antiporter genes have been transferred to Indian mustard. Both antisense and RNAi technologies have been employed for improving oil and seedmeal quality. Efforts have been made to improve the phytoremediation potential of this crop through genetic engineering approach. The deployment of barnase/barstar gene system for developing male sterile and restorer lines has really expedited hybrid development programs in Indian mustard. Further, there is a need to optimize gene editing protocols and to find out suitable target genes for gene editing in this crop. In this review paper, authors have attempted to review various genetic transformation efforts carried out in Indian mustard for its improvement to combat biotic and abiotic stress challenges, quality improvement and hybrid development.

Soil Suitability Evaluation Using Remotely Sensed Data and GIS: A Case Study from Kumaon Himalayas

Soil resource characterization of Kumaon hills of Himalayas was carried out through soil survey and established soil–physiography relationship after identification and delineation of six physiographic units in Khulgad watershed of Almora district, Uttarakhand. The satellite image characteristics identified through the visual/digital interpretation of IRS-1D LISS-III fused with PAN data on 1:12,500 scale were utilized in the present study. Based on the characteristics of soils developed on different physiographic units, the soils were evaluated for land capability classification and suitability for major crops in the region for sustainable development of the study area. GIS technique was used to develop decision trees employing various soil–site parameters for assessing crop suitability. The results revealed that deep to moderately deep soils with high clay content on the stable terraces and valley lands mostly appearing as dark blue to blackish blue in satellite imagery grouped under land capability classes II and III were interpreted as suitable for wheat, rice, finger millet and mustard crops. Moderately deep to deep soils occurring on moderately steep hill slopes and upper terraces were suitable for potato, mustard and finger millets. Soils on degraded hills with terraced tops having forest in patches (showed mix tone of grey and pink in imagery) categorized into class IV were found to be marginally suitable for wheat, mustard and potato with constraints of soil and topography, while soils on upper hill slopes, degraded hill tops/slopes with thin forest/grazing land and rocky ridges with dark to light blue, white and greyish mixed tone and dark blue with pale pink mixed tone in the imagery placed under land capability classes VI to VII were presently not suitable for crops cultivation and moderately suitable for grassland pasture or silvipasture purposes. The extent of suitability of soils for various crops has also been highlighted using GIS software and the maps were prepared. GIS is found to be helpful in processing spatial and non-spatial remote sensing data and conventional data of highly folded and faulted chain of Kumaon Himalayas to evaluate soil–site parameters for assessing crop suitability for optimum utilization of land.

Effect of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulphur and Zinc on Yield and their Attributing Characterstics of Mustard Crop

A field experiment was conducted on Pot culture house of Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur during the rabi season 2016-17, In the present experiment 8 treatments T1 (Control), T2 (100% RDF Recommended dose of fertilizer) , T3 (100% RDF+S30), T4 (100% RDF+Zn5), T5 (125% RDF), T6(125% RDF+S30 ), T7 (125% RDF+Zn5), T8 (150% RDF), were laid out in Randomized Block Design(RBD) with four replications. Mustard variety Pusa Bold was taken for study. The results revealed that the Yield (grain and stover yield) and their attributing characterstics of mustard respond significantly with the different treatment combination. The highest grain (20.11 q/ha) and stover yield (43.13 q/ha) was obtained in T7 (125% RDF+Zn5) . The treatment T7 cause 32.72 % increase in mustard grain yield and 14.22% increase in stover yield over control.. The treatment combination T7 (125% RDF+Zn5) gave the best result in terms of yield and their attributing characterstics.

UTILIZATION OF ORGANIC WASTE BIOMAS AGAINST GROWTH TEST AND RESULTS OF SAWI CROPS

The abundant condition of organic waste in urban areas of Surabaya requires a solution not only regarding the process of compost, but also how to utilize the biomass organic waste in a framework to socialize the use of urban yard narrow land into a form of cultivation of vegetables that contribute to the nutrition for the family. This potential will be synergistic with Surabaya city government policy related to urban yard Empowerment program that inspires the idea of how to utilize organic waste biomass into something useful for plant growth and reduce the accumulation of excessive waste and odor that is not delicious for the people of Surabaya. By implementing the appropriate technology to utilize waste biomass of organic waste into a material of burial or organic fertilizer after through the process of composting or fermentation to become organic fertilizer that is beneficial for plants. The purpose of this research is to know the influence of organic waste biomass from the results of the posting of urban organic waste against the growth test and the results of mustard crops. Based on the research results, it can be concluded as follows: 1. There is a significant influence of the composition of urban garbage organic fertilizer against the growth parameters and results of the mustard crops in the variables studied, including: length of the plant, the number of leaves, the length of the roots and fresh weight per plant. 2. The value of fresh weight yield per highest crop is achieved by P3 treatment (15% from the weight of planting media) by 313.82 grams and effective and efficient treatment, it is also supported by growth variables such as plant length, number of leaves and root length; Even though statistically different P3 treatments are not significant with the P5 treatment (25%) and P7 (35%). Keywords: organic waste Biomas, mustard greens.