Production Of Mustard Research Articles

Diversity of Functional Soil Microbes in Manures and Its Effect on Organic Mustard Green (Brassica juncea) Production

The application of organic fertilizer, especially manures, for crop production has long-term effects for soil nutrients availability and improvement of soil structure. The improvement of soil properties involves interactions of various types of microorganism in the soil. The research aimed to study the effects of different types of manures on the diversity of functional soil microbes and its effects on organic green mustard production. The experiment was conducted at IPB organic research field, Cikarawang, Darmaga,
 Bogor, from April to June 2015. The experiment used a randomized complete block design with two factors; the first factor was types of manure, i.e. chicken, cow, and goat manures; the second factor was manure rates, i.e. 0 and 10 ton.ha-1, so there were six treatments in total, replicated three times.
 The results showed that chicken manure application resulted in a higher mustard green yield and soil-P content than application of goat manure. The addition 10 ton.ha-1 of manures increased C-organic,
 N, K, and C/N ratio in soil significantly, but mustard green production was not affected. The diversity of microbe population of the soil treated with all types of manures was high. The addition 10 ton.ha-1 of manures decreased the total number of microbes, but increased the number of cellulose-degrading microbes. The population of cellulose-degrading and phosphate-solubilizing microbes in the soil applied with cow manure was higher than those applied with the other manures.

Validation of a bio-based integrated pest management package for the control of major insect pests on Chinese mustard in Cambodia

Chinese mustard is an important leafy vegetable, which is grown in about 5% of total vegetable area in major vegetable producing provinces of Cambodia. Production of Chinese mustard is severely hampered by the insect pests especially lepidopteran caterpillars and the flea beetles. Chinese mustard producers predominantly rely on the application of chemical pesticides for management of these pests and produce blemish free produce. In order to reduce the extensive reliance on pesticides, efficacy of biopesticides (Bacillus thuringiensis and Metarhizium anisopliae formulations, and neem extract), either alone and in combination (as an IPM package) against diamondback moth, common armyworm, cabbage webworm and striped flea beetle on Chinese mustard was assessed in three different provinces of Cambodia during 2015–2018. The bio-pesticides reduced the incidence of diamondback moth, common armyworm, cabbage webworm and the damage by striped flea beetle to the levels equivalent to chemical pesticide (abamectin) during trials in 2015 and 2016. Although the yield was significantly higher in bio-pesticide treated plots than untreated plots in 2015, the yield did not differ among the treatments in 2016 trials. Multi-location trials during 2016–2018 confirmed that the performance of the bio-based IPM package was on par with farmers’ practice of calendar-based pesticide application in reducing the damages by target pests, leading to significant yield gains. Hence, the bio-based IPM package can be a better alternative to chemical pesticides in managing the key insect pests on Chinese mustard in Cambodia.

First Report of Leptosphaeria biglobosa ‘brassicae’ Causing Black Leg on Brassica juncea var. multiceps in China

Brassica juncea var. multisecta, a leafy mustard, is widely grown in China as a vegetable (Fahey 2016). In May 2018, blackleg symptoms, grayish lesions with black pycnidia, were found on stems and leaves of B. juncea var. multisecta during disease surveys in Wuhan, Hubei Province. Disease incidence was approximately 82% of plants in the surveyed fields (~1 ha in total). To determine the causal agent of the disease, twelve diseased petioles were surface-sterilized and then cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 20˚C for 5 days. Six fungal isolates (50%) were obtained. All showed fluffy white aerial mycelia on the colony surface and produced a yellow pigment in PDA. In addition, pink conidial ooze formed on top of pycnidia after 20 days of cultivation on a V8 juice agar. Pycnidia were black-brown and globose with average size of 145 × 138 μm and ranged between 78 to 240 × 71 to 220 μm, n = 50. The conidia were cylindrical, hyaline, and 5.0 × 2.1 μm (4 to 7.1 × 1.4 to 2.9 μm, n=100). These results indicated that the fungus was Leptosphaeria biglobosa rather than L. maculans, as only the former produces yellow pigment (Williams and Fitt 1999). For molecular confirmation of identify, genomic DNAs were extracted and tested through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay using the species-specific primers LbigF, LmacF, and LmacR (Liu et al. 2006), of which DNA samples of L. maculans isolate UK-1 (kindly provided by Dr. Yongju Huang of University of Hertfordshire) and L. biglobosa 'brassicae' isolate B2003 (Cai et al. 2014) served as controls. Moreover, the sequences coding for actin, β-tubulin, and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA (Vincenot et al. 2008) of isolates HYJ-1, HYJ-2 and HYJ-3 were also cloned and sequenced. All six isolates only produced a 444-bp DNA fragment, the same as isolate B2003, indicating they belonged to L. biglobosa 'brassicae', as L. maculans generates a 331-bp DNA fragment. In addition, sequences of ITS (GenBank accession no. MN814012, MN814013, MN814014), actin (MN814292, MN814293, MN814294), and β-tubulin (MN814295, MN814296, MN814297) of isolates HYJ-1, HYJ-2 and HYJ-3 were 100% identical to the ITS (KC880981), actin (AY748949), and β-tubulin (AY748995) of L. biglobosa 'brassicae' strains in GenBank, respectively. To determine their pathogenicity, needle-wounded cotyledons (14 days) of B. juncea var. multisecta 'K618' were inoculated with a conidial suspension (1 × 107 conidia/ml, 10 μl per site) of two isolates HYJ-1 and HYJ-3, twelve seedlings per isolate (24 cotyledons), while the control group was only treated with sterile water. All seedlings were incubated in a growth chamber (20°C, 100% relative humidity under 12 h of light/12 h of dark) for 10 days. Seedlings inoculated with conidia showed necrotic lesions, whereas control group remained asymptomatic. Two fungal isolates showing the same culture morphology to the original isolates were re-isolated from the necrotic lesions. Therefore, L. biglobosa 'brassicae' was confirmed to be the causal agent of blackleg on B. juncea var. multisecta in China. L. biglobosa 'brassicae' has been reported on many Brassica crops in China, such as B. napus (Fitt et al. 2006), B. oleracea (Zhou et al. 2019), B. juncea var. multiceps (Zhou et al. 2019), B. juncea var. tumida (Deng et al. 2020). To our knowledge this is the first report of L. biglobosa 'brassicae' causing blackleg on B. juncea var. multisecta in China, and its occurrence might be a new threat to leafy mustard production of China.

Conservation Agriculture for Rice-Based Intensive Cropping by Smallholders in the Eastern Gangetic Plain

We review the recent development of Conservation Agriculture (CA) for rice-based smallholder farms in the Eastern Gangetic Plain (EGP) and the underpinning research on agronomy, weed control, soil properties and greenhouse gas emissions being tested to accelerate its adoption in Bangladesh. The studies are based mostly on minimum soil disturbance planting in strip planting (SP) mode, using the Versatile Multi-crop Planter (VMP), powered by a two-wheel tractor (2WT). One-pass SP with the VMP decreased fuel costs for crop establishment by up to 85% and labour requirements by up to 50%. We developed strip-based non-puddled rice (Oryza sativa) transplanting (NPT) in minimally-disturbed soil and found that rice grain yield increased (by up to 12%) in longer-term practice of CA. On farms, 75% of NPT crops increased gross margin. For non-rice crops, relative yield increases ranged from 28% for lentil (Lens culinaris) to 6% for wheat (Triticum aestivum) on farms that adopted CA planting. Equivalent profit increases were from 47% for lentil to 560% for mustard (Brassica juncea). Moreover, VMP and CA adopting farms saved 34% of labour costs and lowered total cost by up to 10% for production of lentil, mustard, maize (Zea mays) and wheat. Effective weed control was obtained from the use of a range of pre-emergent and post-emergence herbicides and retention of increased crop residue. In summary, a substantial body of research has demonstrated the benefits of CA and mechanized planting for cost savings, yield increases in many cases, increased profit in most cases and substantial labour saving. Improvement in soil quality has been demonstrated in long-term experiments together with reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Analysis of Technical Efficiency in Mustard Production in Different Agro-Climatic Zones of Haryana and Punjab

Analysis of Technical Efficiency in Mustard Production in Different Agro-Climatic Zones of Haryana and Punjab

Effect of FYM and NPK on growth, yield and oil production of mustard under the agro-climatic condition of Tandojam-Pakistan

Abstract In order to study the effect of FYM and NPK on growth, yield and oil production of mustard, Five treatments were formed including control T1= Natural (Farmer practice), T2= Recommended NPK 120-80-40 kg ha-1, T3= FYM 1 t ha-1 + NPK 120-80-40 kg ha-1 , T4= FYM 3 t ha-1 + NPK 120-80-40 kg ha-1, T5= FYM 5 t ha-1 + NPK 120-80-40 kg ha-1 and T6= FYM 7 t ha-1 + NPK 120-80-40 kg ha-1 results showed that significantly (P<0.05) of seed yield and mustard of oil content influenced through the FYM & NPK levels. Results further showed that the mustard crop given recommended NPK 120-80-40 kg ha-1 in crop performance with 134.33 cm plant height, 188.37 no of pods plant-1, 11.31 no of seeds pod-1, 3.42g in seed index, 1510.21 kg seed production ha-1 and 31.10% oil content. However the minimum lowest crop performance was observed in control, where no fertilizer ware applied, having 128.33 cm plant height, 145.41 number of pods plant-1, 8.12 number of seeds pods-1, 3.00g seed index, 1325.14kg seed yield production ha-1 and 26.35% content oil. It is concluded that mustard yield increase with NPK combined with FYM 120-80-40 + 7 ton FYM but 5 ton FYM combined with NPK120-80-40 was economic dose for mustard production. The oil production also increase at combined application of FYM and NPK fertilizers. Keywords: FYM; Growth and yield; Mustard; NPK; Oil production http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2018.700210

Impact of technological interventions on productivity of mustard in Kymore Plateau and Satpura hills zone of Madhya Pradesh

India is the fourth largest oilseed producer in the world. Among the edible oilseed crops cultivated in India, mustard occupies the second position after groundnut with a share of 27.5 per cent in Indian oil economy. It is also one of the important oilseed crops of Madhya Pradesh and is commonly grown in Sidhi district in Kymore Plateau and Satpura Hills zone of the state. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sidhi conducted 64 technological frontline demonstrations to know the yield gap between improved package of practices (IP) and farmers practices (FP) under limited irrigation conditions. The study revealed that the mustard yield in improved practice ranged from 8.75 to 13.23 q/ha whereas in farmers practice it was in the range of 6.70 to 10.09 q/ha. The technology demonstration registered highest yield (13.23 q/ha) in 2014-15 which was 31.11 per cent higher over the farmer's practice (10.09 q/ha). Extension gap and technology gap ranged between 1.87 to 3.60 and 2.95 to 11.43 q/ha respectively. The technology index ranged from 19.66 per cent to 57.15 per cent. The technology gap and index reflected farmer's collaboration in carrying out the technology demonstrations with encouraging results in preceding years. The benefit cost ratio was estimated to be 2.15 to 3.64 under demonstration, while it ranged from 1.91 to 2.85 under farmer's practice. The results indicated that these technology frontline demonstrations produced good impact on the farming community regarding the potential of technological interventions in increasing the production of mustard in the target areas.

Assessment of fungal and bacterial co-inoculation on plant growth, yield and phytosterol content of Indian mustard cultivated under rainfed conditions

Inadequate monsoon influences crop productivity in sub-mountainous areas such as Kandi zone, which is characterized as a rainfed area. The present study was conducted over the period of three years (2014–17, rabi season) in rainfed area of the Kandi zone in Punjab, India. Primary focus was on the enhancement of rabi crop productivity (mustard) through application of biologically active formulation of plant beneficial microbes, Piriformospora indica alone (Pi, T1) and Pi in combination with Azotobacter chroccocum WR 5 (Pi+Az, T2). Significant improvement in plant growth and gross yield production of mustard was observed in both the treatments with maximum yield in T2 (31.3%), followed by T1 (14.6%) as compared to control. Agro-morphological traits like root length, shoot length, number of siliqua and total biomass exhibited a similar trend with T2 having maximum result followed by T1 and control. Industrially important compounds such as Beta sitosterol was present in large amount with varying concentrations in T2 (58.6%), T1 (54.5%) and control (52.3%). This study also encouraged local farmers to gain interest in sustainable agriculture through organic farming especially for mustard cultivation and demand for our commercial bio-formulation in the area has increased in the past years.

Comparative Advantages of Lentil (&lt;i&gt;Lens culinaris&lt;/i&gt;) and Mustard (&lt;i&gt;Brassica nigra&lt;/i&gt; L.) Production and their Profitability in a Selected District of Bangladesh

The present study was conducted to estimate the profitability, domestic resource cost (DRC) and comparative advantages of lentil and mustard production in Bangladesh. Primary data were used in this study, where a total of 100 randomly selected farm survey (Mustard 50 &amp; Lentil 50) was conducted in Meherpur district using structured questionnaire. The study revealed that per hectare total cost and net profit of lentil production were about Tk. 78,442 and Tk. 86,590, respectively, whereas they were Tk. 62,527 and Tk. 38,718 for mustard production. The benefit cost ratios (BCR) of lentil and mustard production were 2.32 and 1.73, respectively, indicating that both lentil and mustard cultivation in Bangladesh are profitable. The domestic resource costs (DRC) of lentil and mustard production were 0.39 and 0.55, respectively which imply that Bangladesh has comparative advantage in producing both lentil and mustard. The Cobb-Douglas production function coefficients show that farm area, irrigation, pesticides, and chemical fertilizers (Gypsum, MP) were statistically significant factors affecting lentil production having increasing returns to scale. Farm area, irrigation and manure were statistically significant factors affecting mustard production with constant return to scale. In this study, production, technology and marketing problems have been listed down which will help the policy makers and the researchers to undertake proper steps for further improvement of lentil and mustard production in Bangladesh. The Agriculturists 2018; 16(1) 21-33

Irrigation, nitrogen and sulphur fertilization response on productivity, water use efficiency and quality of Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata) in a semi-arid environment

Water and nutrient deficiency are two major constraints that drastically affect rapeseed and mustard production under semi-arid regions of North-Western India. To cope with this problem, a study was undertaken to optimize irrigation, nitrogen and sulphur levels for productivity and quality of Ethiopian mustard(Brassica carinata).Field experiments were conducted during winter seasons of 2004-05 and 2005-06 at the Water Technology Centre (WTC), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India. Irrigation, nitrogen and sulphur levels significantly (P&lt;0.05) affected plant height, LAI, siliqua weight, seeds/siliqua, test weight, seed and biomass yield of Ethiopian mustard. Application of three irrigations (seedling, 50% flowering and pod development stage) to Ethiopian mustard increased seed yield by 27-28% compared to one irrigation (seedling stage). Nitrogen @ 90 kg ha-1 produced 49-54 % higher seed yield of Ethiopian mustard compared to no application. Similarly, sulphur application @ 40 kg ha-1 increased seed yield by 33-34 % compared to no application of sulphur. The oil content of Ethiopian mustard was significantly (P&lt;0.05) affected by nitrogen and sulphur levels. Among the three treatments, irrigation treatment only significantly affected evapotranspiration of the studied crop. From the above study, it is suggested that application of 3 irrigations with 90 kg N ha-1 and 40 kg S ha-1 may be practiced for achieving higher seed yield, quality and water use efficiency of Ethiopian mustard in the semi-arid environment of Northern part of India.

The Influence Of Giving Fertilizer And Fertilizer (N) Fertilizer Time On Plant Growth And Production Sawi Pakcoy (Brassica rapa L.)

The average pakcoy mustard production in Indonesia is still quite low at 20 tons / ha. This study aims to determine the effect of goat manure and nitrogen fertilizer (N) on the growth and production of mustard greens. This research was carried out in Plaosan village, Wonoayu sub-district, Sidoarjo regency, using factorial completely randomized design with 2 factors, factor 1: without goat manure (control) (P0), goat manure 100 grams / polybag (P1 ), 200 gram goat manure / polybag (P2). Factor 2: giving nitrogen at 7 hst (K1), giving nitrogen at 14 hst (K2), giving nitrogen at 21 hst (K3). Of the two factors, 9 treatment combinations were repeated and repeated 3 times so that 27 experimental units were obtained. The results showed that goat manure significantly affected plant height, number of leaves and wet weight. However, when giving nitrogen (N) there was no significant difference in each treatment, while there was interaction between goat manure and nitrogen (N) fertilization time on the wet weight of mustard pakcoy plants with the best treatment in K2P2 with an average of 231,8.

Effect of Pest Exclusion Net (PEN) on the Sustainable Production of Late Season Broad Leaf Mustard (BLM) in Chitwan, Nepal

Effect of Pest Exclusion Net (PEN) on the Sustainable Production of Late Season Broad Leaf Mustard (BLM) in Chitwan, Nepal

Assessing biochar applications and repeated Brassica juncea L. production cycles to remediate Cu contaminated soil

Copper contamination and toxicity in soils is a worldwide problem, especially in areas where copper-based fungicides are applied. Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) plants are used in phytoremediation and are also edible crops commonly cultivated in organic agricultural areas. Application of biochar to Cu contaminated soils may reduce Cu availability and uptake, thereby allowing for greater Indian mustard production. A (3 × 2) + 1) experiment in a randomized complete block design was used to evaluate the effect of three different biochars (coconut shell, orange bagasse and sewage sludge) and two application rates (30 and 60 t ha−1) on Cu uptake by Indian mustard during three successive growth cycles and Cu immobilization in soil, under greenhouse conditions. Coconut husk biochar did not influence available soil Cu; however, its presence increased shoot Cu uptake by 117% and 38% in the two last growth cycles. Orange bagasse biochar, at the 60 t ha−1 application rate, reduced Cu availability, but it was not effective in reducing Cu uptake. Sewage sludge biochar did not affect Cu availability and caused an approximated 100% increase in shoot Cu uptake at the highest application rate. Therefore, the orange bagasse biochar is the most effective whereas the sewage sludge biochar is the least in Cu immobilization. None of the biochars was shown to be suitable as soil amendment to reduce the uptake of Cu by Indian mustard. However, coconut shell and sewage sludge biochar can be effectively applied to soil as an auxiliary tool to remediate Cu-contaminated soils.

Synthesis route attribution of sulfur mustard by multivariate data analysis of chemical signatures

A multivariate model was developed to attribute samples to a synthetic method used in the production of sulfur mustard (HD). Eleven synthetic methods were used to produce 66 samples for model construction. Three chemists working in both participating laboratories took part in the production, with the aim to introduce variability while reducing the influence of laboratory or chemist specific impurities in multivariate analysis. A gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric data set of peak areas for 103 compounds was subjected to orthogonal partial least squares - discriminant analysis to extract chemical attribution signature profiles and to construct multivariate models for classification of samples. For one- and two-step routes, model quality allowed the classification of an external test set (16/16 samples) according to synthesis conditions in the reaction yielding sulfur mustard. Classification of samples according to first-step methodology was considerably more difficult, given the high purity and uniform quality of the intermediate thiodiglycol produced in the study. Model performance in classification of aged samples was also investigated.

Instability and Sustainability Analysis of Mustard in Bhind (Madhya Pradesh) and Relationship with Factors of Production on Productivity

The oilseed crops play a crucial role in Indian agricultural economy. The oil content varies from 37 to 49 percent. Oil is utilized for human consumption, seeds as spices and cake as a cattle feed and manure. Mustard is also an important oilseed crop containing over 40 percent oil on a dry weight basis. Madhya Pradesh (MP) is the fourth major mustard producing the state in India followed by Gujarat and West Bengal, with a share of nearly 11 percent of the country's total mustard production. In present study sustainable growth in the area, production and yield of mustard during the period under investigation for whole Madhya Pradesh. While Madhya Pradesh is found sustainable in the area, production and productivity as compared to Bhind district, which is a witness that Bhind district is having more fluctuation in the area, production and productivity of mustard during the study under investigation. Hence, in recent years a concept of sustainable agriculture is developed in order to ensure that the agro-eco-systems are stabilized and sustained crop yields are assured on a long term basis.

Cost Benefit Analyses of Rabi and Kharif Crops in Kashmir Valley: A Case Study of District Anantnag

The present study is an attempt to evaluate the cost benefit analyses of two main crops cultivated in district Anantnag of Kashmir valley. In order to satisfy the objectives of the present study a primary survey was conducted in which information were collected about the production cost, market price, perception of farmers about the cultivation, and other necessary aspects of the rice and mustard crops. The study has revealed that cultivation of rice is comparatively more profitable than the cultivation of mustard. It also shows that the production cost of rice is comparatively higher than that of mustard. The study also indorses that more number of hired labours are required for the cultivation of rice than the mustard on land area of same size. The low supply of this hired labour in other districts is considered an important factor of conversion of land from cultivation of rice in to apple fields. The low supply of the rural labour has occurred due to the structural changes in our economic system as a large group of the rural labour force has adopted non –farm activities to earn their lively hood. The result of Chi-square also shows that there is significant difference between the profitability of Rice and Mustard production.

Economic analysis of mustard production by members of farmer producer organization in swai Madhopur District of Rajasthan

An attempt has been made to study the economic analysis of mustard production by members of farmer producer organization in Swai Madhopur district of Rajasthan State, India. The study was conducted in Chauth Mata Agro Producer Company Limited, Chauth ka Barwada blocks in Swai Madhopur district. Eighty farmers were selected randomly from ten villages from these blocks to collect the required information on the cost of cultivation and other aspects for the present study. The primary data were collected from the mustard producers through personal interview method with the help of wellprepared schedule and questionnaire for the production and post-harvest year for Rabi mustard 2017–18. The analysis of cost of cultivation was done as per Cost concept given by CACP. The average cost of cultivation of mustard of member and non-member of Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) were worked out as Rs. 43, 900/ha and Rs. 45, 195/ha, respectively. Input-output ratios of member and non-member farmers of FPO were worked out as 1: 1.29 and 1: 1.20, respectively. Out of average cost of cultivation, the operational cost was Rs. 29, 320/ha and Rs. 30, 595/ha, respectively and fixed cost was Rs. 14, 580/ha and Rs. 14, 600/ha, respectively of the total cost. The study suggested that urgent attention must be paid towards enhancing the productivity of mustard crop by providing improved and high yielding varieties, technology, irrigation, price support, policy and effective extension through formation of FPOs.

Respon pertumbuhan dan produksi tanaman sawi Pakcoy (Brassica chinensis L.) akibat pemberian berbagai jenis pupuk kandang

The purpose of this research was to determine growth and production responses of Spoon Mustard (Brassica chinensis L.) due to the treatment of various type of manure and to determine types of manure which effective for the growth and production of Spoon Mustard. This Research has been conducted at Experimental field and Laboratory of Plants’s Ecology and Production, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Science, Diponegoro University from January to March 2017. This research used monofactorexperiment in Completely Randomized design arrangement. The treatment was variation of manure which were cow manure, goat manure, sheep manure, horse manure, and chicken manure, they would be compared with nontreatment (0 fertilizer) and 300 kg/ha urea in four times replication. The obtained data were processed statistically with analysis of variance (F test) and Duncan Multiple Range Test at 5% level. The result’s showed that manure treatment with different types gave effect to the plant heigh, number of leaves, leaf area, and plant production. The best treatment was chicken manure treatment which produced average of plant height as 26,33 cm, average of number of leaves as 11sheet, average of leaf area as 1033,30 cm, and Spoon Mustard production as 2319,90 g/m2.Keywords: Organic Fertilizer, Manure, Pakcoy.

Energy budgeting and carbon footprint of pearl millet – mustard cropping system under conventional and conservation agriculture in rainfed semi-arid agro-ecosystem

Abstract Modern agricultural systems are energy and carbon intensive. Reducing the carbon footprint and increasing energy use efficiency are two important sustainability issues of the modern agriculture. Realizing the implications of energy and carbon use, the present study was conducted to compare pearl millet–mustard production system in conventional and conservation agriculture practices. The results showed that zero tillage with 4 t ha−1 crop residue increased grain yield of pearl millet and mustard by 22.3 and 24.5% respectively in comparison to conventional tillage without residue which ultimately helped to maintain higher net returns (1270 US$ ha−1). Mulching of crop residue consumed considerable energy and carbon. It comprised 72.3–87.1% of the total energy consumption. Thick residue cover (4 t ha−1) noticed significantly higher energy output and energy intensiveness in both conventional and zero tillage whereas energy-use efficiency (11.5), net energy return (201,977 MJ ha−1) and energy productivity (0.32 kg MJ−1) was highest under no-residue cover. Carbon foot print value was increased with intensity of residue cover and found least under no-residue treatment. Therefore, crop residue should be judiciously used in arid and semi-arid region where livestock mainly depends on it for their fodder requirement.

Morphological and genetic characterization of a new cytoplasmic male sterility system (oxa CMS) in stem mustard (Brassica juncea).

KEY MESSAGE: oxa CMS is a new cytoplasmic male sterility type in Brassica juncea. oxa CMS is a cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) line that has been widely used in the production and cultivation of stem mustard in the southwestern China. In this study, different CMS-type specific mitochondrial markers were used to confirm that oxa CMS is distinct from the pol CMS, ogu CMS, nap CMS, hau CMS, tour CMS, Moricandia arvensis CMS, orf220-type CMS, etc., that have been previously reported in Brassica crops. Pollen grains of the oxa CMS line are sterile with a self-fertility rate of almost 0% and the sterility strain rate and sterility degree of oxa CMS is 100% due to a specific flower structure and flowering habit. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that most pollen grains in mature anthers of the oxa CMS line are empty, flat and deflated. Semi-thin section further showed that the abortive stage of anther development in oxa CMS is initiated at the late uninucleate stage. Abnormally vacuolated microspores caused male sterility in the oxa CMS line. This cytological study combined with marker-assisted selection showed that oxa CMS is a novel CMS type in stem mustard (Brassica juncea). Interestingly, the abortive stage of oxa CMS is later than those in other CMS types reported in Brassica crops, and there is nonegative effecton the oxa CMS line growth period. This study demonstrated that this novel oxa CMS has a unique flower structure with sterile pollen grains at the late uninucleate stage. Our results may help to uncover the mechanism of oxa CMS in Brassica juncea.