Hindawi Publishing Corporation International Journal of Agronomy Volume 2012, Article ID 408284, 14 pages doi:10.

1155/2012/408284

Review Article Advances in Agronomic Management of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. Cosson): An Overview
Kapila Shekhawat, S. S. Rathore, O. P. Premi, B. K. Kandpal, and J. S. Chauhan
Directorate of Rapeseed-Mustard Research, Sewar, Rajasthan Bharatpur 321 303, India Correspondence should be addressed to Kapila Shekhawat, [email protected] Received 15 November 2011; Revised 5 January 2012; Accepted 22 January 2012 Academic Editor: Sascha Rohn Copyright 2012 Kapila Shekhawat et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. India is the fourth largest oilseed economy in the world. Among the seven edible oilseeds cultivated in India, rapeseed-mustard contributes 28.6% in the total oilseeds production and ranks second after groundnut sharing 27.8% in the Indias oilseed economy. The mustard growing areas in India are experiencing the vast diversity in the agro climatic conditions and dierent species of rapeseed-mustard are grown in some or other part of the country. Under marginal resource situation, cultivation of rapeseedmustard becomes less remunerative to the farmers. This results in a big gap between requirement and production of mustard in India. Therefore site-specic nutrient management through soil-test recommendation based should be adopted to improve upon the existing yield levels obtained at farmers eld. Eective management of natural resources, integrated approach to plant-water, nutrient and pest management and extension of rapeseed-mustard cultivation to newer areas under dierent cropping systems will play a key role in further increasing and stabilizing the productivity and production of rapeseed-mustard. The paper reviews the advances in proper land and seedbed preparation, optimum seed and sowing, planting technique, crop geometry, plant canopy, appropriate cropping system, integrated nutrient management and so forth to meet the ever growing demand of oil in the country and to realize the goal of production of 24 million tonnes of oilseed by 2020 AD through these advanced management techniques.

1. Introduction
Rapeseed-mustard is the third important oilseed crop in the world after soybean (Glycine max) and palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) oil. Among the seven edible oilseed cultivated in India, rapeseed-mustard (Brassica spp.) contributes 28.6% in the total production of oilseeds. In India, it is the second most important edible oilseed after groundnut sharing 27.8% in the Indias oilseed economy. The share of oilseeds is 14.1% out of the total cropped area in India, rapeseed-mustard accounts for 3% of it. The global production of rapeseed-mustard and its oil is around 38 42 and 1214 mt, respectively. India contributes 28.3% and 19.8% in world acreage and production. India produces around 6.7 mt of rapeseed-mustard next to China (11-12 mt) and EU (1013 mt) with signicant contribution in world rapeseed-mustard industry. The rapeseed-mustard group broadly includes Indian mustard, yellow sarson, brown sarson, raya, and toria crops. Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson) is predominantly cultivated in

Rajasthan, UP, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. It is also grown under some nontraditional areas of South India including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. The crop can be raised well under both irrigated and rainfed conditions. Brown sarson (B. rapa ssp sarson) has 2 ecotypes lotni and toria. Yellow sarson (B. rapa var. trilocularis) is cultivated in Assam, Bihar, Orissa, and West Bengal as rabi crop. In Punjab, Haryana, UP, Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, it is grown mainly as a catch crop. Taramira (Eruca sativa) is grown in the drier parts of NorthWest India comprising the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, and UP. Gobhi sarson (B. napus L. ssp. oleferia DC. var annua L.) and karan rai (Brassica carinata) are the new emerging oilseed crops having limited area of cultivation. Gobhi sarson is a long duration crop conned to Haryana, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh. It has good yield potential, wide adaptability and possesses high oil content of good quality. Karan rai yields well and shows better environment adoption and substantial resistance to pests and diseases. The country witnessed yellow revolution through a phenomenal

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Table 1: Salient features of cultivated species of rapeseed-mustard (Cruciferous) group of crops.

SN (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)

Common name Indian mustard Yellow mustard Brown sarson Black mustard Karan rai Toria Taramira Gobhi sarson

Botanical name Brassica juncea Brassica rapa var. yellow sarson Brassica campestris syn. B. rapa var. brown sarson Brassica nigra Brassica carinata Brassica rapa var. toria Eruca sativa Brassica napus

Days to maturity (days) 105160 120155 100235 7090 150200 70100 140150 145180

Yield potential, Kg/ha 15003000 9002000 10001200 6001800 7001400 13002700

Oil % 3842 4147 4045 40-41 3643 3644 3438 3745

increase in production and productivity from 2.68 MT and 650 kg/ha in 1985-86 to 6.96 MT and 1022 kg/ha in 19961997, respectively. In spite of these achievements, there exists a gap between production potential and actual realization. In India rapeseed-mustard is grown on an area of 5.53 Mha with production and productivity of 6.41 MT and 1157 Kg/ha, respectively [1]. Mustard is cultivated in mostly under temperate climates. It is also grown in certain tropical and subtropical regions as a cold weather crop. Indian mustard is reported to tolerate annual precipitation of 500 to 4200 mm, annual temperature of 6 to 27 C, and pH of 4.3 to 8.3. Rapeseed-mustard follows C3 pathway for carbon assimilation. Therefore, it has ecient photosynthetic response at 1520 C temperature. At this temperature the plant achieve maximum CO2 exchange range which declines thereafter. Rai is mostly grown as a rainfed crop, moderately tolerant to soil acidity, preferring a pH from 5.5 to 6.8, thrives in areas with hot days and cool night and can fairly sustain drought. Mustard requires welldrained sandy loam soil. Rapeseed-mustard has a low water requirement (240400 mm) which ts well in the rainfed cropping systems. Nearly 20% area under these crops is rainfed. A review is prepared on advances on agronomic practices for enhancing the rapeseed-mustard production in India. A review of the work done on the dierent aspects in India and abroad especially under advance agronomic practices is done in this paper.

of North-West India comprising the states of Rajasthan, Haryana and UP. Gobhi sarson (B. napus l. ssp. oleferia DC. Var. annua L.) and karan rai (Brassica carinata) are the new emerging oilseed crops having limited area of cultivation. Gobhi sarson is a long duration crop conned to Haryana, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh. It is photoand thermosensitive and makes little growth up to middle of February, but in the end of this month, plants make a quick growth. It has good yield potential, wide adaptability, and possesses high oil content of good quality. There are eight cultivated crops in rapeseed-mustard crop; the main characteristics features have been explained in Table 1. Karan rai also yields well under a wide range of climate partly because it has a large number of primary and secondary racemes. It shows better environment adoption and substantial resistance to pests and diseases. Mustard is cultivated in most temperate climates. It is also grown in certain tropical and subtropical regions as a cold weather crop. Indian mustard is reported to tolerate annual precipitation of 500 to 4200 mm, annual temperature of 6 to 27 C, and pH of 4.3 to 8.3. Rai is mostly grown as a rainfed crop, moderately tolerant to soil acidity, preferring a pH from 5.5 to 6.8, thrives in areas with hot days and cool night, and fairly resistant to drought. Mustard requires good sandy loamy soil. The agroclimatic conditions of various locations under study have been explained in Table 2.

3. Varietals Development 2. Crop Adaptation and Distribution

The rapeseed-mustard group includes brown sarson, raya, and toria crops. Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson) is predominantly cultivated in Rajasthan, UP, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. It is also grown under some nontraditional areas of South India including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. The crop can be raised well under both irrigated and rainfed conditions. Being more responsive to fertilizers, it gives better return under irrigated condition. Brown sarson (B. rapa ssp. sarson) has 2 ecotypes lotni and toria. Yellow sarson (B. rapa var. trilocularis) is cultivated in Assam, Bihar, Orissa, and West Bengal as rabi crop. In Punjab, Haryana, UP, Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, it is grown mainly as a catch crop. Taramira (Eruca sativa) is grown in the drier parts Since, there is a vast variability in the climatic and edaphic conditions in the mustard growing areas of India, the selection of appropriate cultivars is important as it helps in increasing the productivity. Introduction of relatively short duration cultivar found favor with the environment where eective growing seasonal length is short. Improved varieties of mustard stabilize oil and seed yield through insulation of cultivars against major biotic and abiotic stresses enhance oil (low erucic acid) and seed meal (low glucosinolate) quality. The rst Indian mustard hybrid, named NRCHB506, has been developed at Directorate of Rapeseed-Mustard Research, Bharatpur which can catapult the output of the countrys key oil crop. The new hybrid is meant for cultivation in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Other high yielding varieties include JM-1, JM-3, and Pusa Bold,

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Table 2: Agroclimatic conditions of various locations during mustard crop season. Location Hisar Pantnagar Dholi Ludhiana Bhubneshwar Longitude 75 43 6 E 79 24 36 E 85 35 22 E 75 18 E 85 50 E Latitude 29 9 11 N 28 58 12 N, 26 0 2.2 N 30 34 N 20 16 N Temp, C Max Min 3.2 34.2 4.8 32.3 6.6 33.3 3.5 32.0 14.8 34.8 Rain fall, mm 50200 150400 200550 30120 180250 RH % Max Min 38 96 47 92 52 94 45 95 38 94 Soil texture Sany loam Clay loam Clay loam Loamy sand Clay loam Soil fertility, Kg/ha N P K 130 12 480 155 15 310 140 12.5 275 150 24 220 130 19 175

Table 3: Varieties tolerant to various abiotic and biotic stresses of mustard (Brassica juncea). SN (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) Specic abiotic/biotic stress Rainfed Salinity tolerant Frost tolerant High temperature tolerant White rust resistant Alternaria blight tolerant Tolerant verities Aravali, Geeta, GM 1, PBR 97, PusaBahar, Pusa Bold, RH 781, RH 819, RGN 48, Shivani, TM 2, TM 4, Vaibhav, RB 50 CS 52, CS 54, Narendra Rai (NDR8501) RGN 13, RH 819, Swaranjyoti, RH 781, RGN 48 Kanti, Pusa Agrani, RGN 13, Urvashi, NRCDR 02, Pusa mustard 25 (NPJ 112), Pusa mustard 27 (EJ 17) Basanti, JM 1, JM 2, NRCDR-2 Jawahar Mustard 3, Him Sarson 1 (ONK 1), Ashirwad (RK-01-03)

NRCDR-2, NRCDR 601. Their yield potentials vary from 16 to 25 q/ha. At IARI, an early-maturing and bold seeded mustard variety has been developed called Mehak (B. juncea). This improved variety is suitable for early sowing to replace toria (B. rapa var. toria) in Delhi and adjoining areas. Gobhi sarson has a good yield potential, wide adaptability and possesses high oil content of good quality. Hyola (PAC401) is canola type hybrid rapeseed, developed in India by Advanta India Ltd, Holland-based multinational company. Neelam (HPN-3) and Sheetal (HPN-1) are the popular varieties of gobhi sarson [2]. Since inception of mustard research programme in India, number of tolerant varieties to various abiotic and biotic stresses of rapeseed-mustard has been developed (Table 3). Pusa Jaikisan of B. juncea is the rst variety though tissue culture. TL-15, a toria variety has been recommended as summer crop for high altitude of Himachal Pradesh. In an attempt to incorporate resistance/tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses in high yielding varieties, aphid tolerant strains like RH-7846, RH-7847, RH-9020 and RWAR-842, Alternaria blight moderately resistant variety Saurabh; white rust resistant variety, Jawahar Mustard1; salt tolerant varieties Narendra Rai and CS-52 frost tolerant RH-781 and RH-7361 varieties have been identied. RH-781 is also drought tolerant and suitable for intercropping. For nontraditional areas, Indian mustard varieties Rajat, Pusa Jaikisan and Sej.2 have been recommended.

4. Land and Seedbed Preparation

A mustard seedbed should be rm, moist, and uniform which allows good seed-to-soil contact, even planting depth

and quick moisture absorption leading to a uniform germination. Tillage aects both crop growth and grain yield. The various tillage systems are as follows: conventional tillage includes moldboard ploughing followed by disc harrowing; reduced tillage includes disc ploughing followed by disc harrowing and complete zero tillage in which crop is sown under uncultivated soil. Minimum tillage, with or without straw, enhances soil moisture conservation and moisture availability during crop growth. As a consequence, the root mass, yield components and seed yield increase [3]. Zero tillage is preferred in mustard as it conserves more moisture in the soil prole during early growth period. Subsequent release of conserved soil moisture regulates proper plant water status, soil temperature, lower soil mechanical resistance, leading to better root growth and higher grain yield of mustard [4]. Success with minimum or zero tillage requires even distribution of crop residues, as a well-designed crop rotation and evenly distributing residue will create a rm, moist and uniform seedbed. Continuous zero tillage results in redistribution of extractable soil nutrients with greater concentration near the soil surface, compared with conventional tillage where mixing of soil, residues, fertilizers, and lime results in a relatively homogeneous soil to the depth of tillage [6]. With zero tillage having greater root density in the surface soil but lesser root density below a depth of 15 cm in the soil prole. Therefore, P and K uptake by crops grown under zero tillage is greater than those grown by conventional methods. But the plant growth and dry matter yields of mustard under zero tillage will be higher only if N fertilizers are applied in appropriate amount [7]. Under AICRP on RM at Dholi, Kanke, Bhubaneshwar, and Behrampur maximum seed yield of toria and mustard was obtained in line sowing under zero

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Table 4: Seed yield (kg/ha) and oil content (%) of toria as inuenced by dierent N levels in utera cropping system at Bhubaneshwar.

Cropping system Rice: yellow sarson (broadcast) in utera cropping (at dough stage of rice) Rice: yellow sarson (broadcast) in utera cropping (sowing before harvest of rice) Rice: yellow sarson (line sowing) under zero tillage in rice eld Rice: yellow sarson (line sowing) after land preparation in rice elds Rice: yellow sarson (broadcast) after land preparation in rice elds

0 428 (33.3) 530 (30.2) 506 (34.4) 388 (32.5) 301 (28.2)

N levels (kg/ha) 40 823 (40.3) 729 (38.2) 924 (41.5) 846 (40.4) 460 (37.6)

80 810 (37.6) 642 (37.1) 886 (39.6) 820 (38.4) 440 (35.5)

CD at 5% cropping system: 79 (0.7), N levels: 32 (0.4), Cropping system N levels: 98 (1.0). Figures in the parenthesis denotes oil content (%). Source: AICRP-RM, 2003 [5].

tillage practice which indicated that mustard can be grown well under zero tillage. At Bhubaneshwar, line sowing of mustard under zero tillage after rice gave the maximum seed yield (933 kg/ha) and oil content (38.4%) (Table 4). The soil under zero tillage system contains higher amount of organic matter having more carbohydrate, amino acid and amino sugar that results in qualitative and quantitative improvement in soil and soil structure due to least soil disturbance. Energy output and input ratio are higher in zero tillage as compared to conventional tillage.

5. Seed and Sowing

Vigorous seedling growth, good root development, early stem elongation, rapid ground covering ability, and early owering and radiation are important yield determining traits under low temperature and radiation regime. These traits can be successfully exploited in mustard if a good seed is grown at appropriate time along with maintaining an optimum plant population. 5.1. Seed Priming. Seed treatment is a useful practice for healthy plant growth. Seed priming through controlled hydration and dehydration enhances early germination of mustard seed in less time, even in compacted soil [8]. The soaking of mustard seeds in 0.025% aqueous pyridoxine hydrochloride solution for 4 hours improved germination. The combination of pyridoxine + N60 P20 + N15 P5 (top dressing) accelerated the crop performance by enhancing seed yield and oil yield by 15.8 and 13.5%, respectively, over the control [9]. The dierential response of varieties for imbibition gives advantage to some of them to germinate early as compared to others. At Hisar, maximum rate of imbibition was reported in NRCDR-2 (41.7%) and minimum in NRCDR-509 (7.5%). Such drastic dierence in rate of imbibition is important for identication of suitable varieties under abiotic stress conditions namely drought, frost, and temperature abnormalities. 5.2. Sowing Time. Sowing time is the most vital nonmonetary input to achieve target yields in mustard. Production eciency of dierent genotypes greatly diers under dierent planting dates. Soil temperature and moisture inuence the sowing time of rapeseed-mustard in various

zones of the country. Sowing time inuences phenological development of crop plants through temperature and heat unit. Sowing at optimum time gives higher yields due to suitable environment that prevails at all the growth stages. Though dierent varieties have a dierential response to date of sowing, mustard sown on 14 and 21 October took signicantly more days to 50% owering (55 and 57) and maturity (154 and 156) compared to October 7 planting [10]. Delayed sowing resulted in poor growth, low yield, and oil content. The reduction in yield was maximum in RH-30 and minimum in Rajat [11, 12]. Date of sowing inuence the incidence of insect-pest and disease also. Sowing on October 21 resulted in least Sclerotinia incidence [13]. The maximum (20.525.4 C) and minimum (3.910.7 C) temperatures at the owering stage of crops established through sowing on October 21 were negatively correlated with the development of Sclerotina stem rot. Mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach)) has been reported as one of the most devastating pests in realizing the potential productivity of Indian mustard. Normal sowing (1st week of November) also helps in reducing the risk of mustard aphid incidence. 5.3. Planting Technique. Sowing technique depends upon land resources, soil condition, and level of management and thus broadcast, line sowing, ridge and furrow method and broad bed and furrow method are common sowing techniques. At higher soil moisture regimes, broadcasting followed by light planking gives early emergence and growth. Under normal and conserved moisture regime, seed placement in moist horizon under line sowing becomes benecial. At Shillongani, broadcast method was found to be more successful. Signicantly higher seed yield of toria (Brassica rapa var. toria) was harvested in broadcast sowing of toria over other practices. Toria broadcast at dough stage along with 80 kg N/ha gave the highest yield (AICRP-RM, 2006). At Bhubaneshwar, line sowing of yellow sarson after land preparation produced maximum seed yield (870 kg/ha) with 40 kg N/ha [14]. At Behrampore, 40% higher seed yield of toria was obtained when sown in line after land preparation in the rice-based cropping system over broadcast (AICRP on RM, 2006). Paira or utera is a method of cropping in which the sowing of next crop is done in the standing previous crop without any tillage operation. Mustard sowing under paira/utera in the rice eld has shown its edge over

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Oil (%) and water use eciency

5 Gobhi sarson (Brassica napus) being more vigourous, the days to maturity, plant height, branches, pod, seed weight per plant, seed index, seed yield, and oil content were higher at 60 cm row spacing [18]. An increase in rows up to 30 cm correspondingly prolonged maturity days followed by optimum 45 cm and wider rows 60 cm spacing. The plants receiving narrow row spacing increased vegetative growth. Due to shade and competition for nutrients and moisture the crop matures later by increasing developmental phases Taller plants were observed in the plots where crop was planted in rows of 60 cm apart followed by 45 cm and 30 cm row spacing due to sucient space resulting in plants grown well and showed greater height [19] (Gupta, 1988). The regression coecient indicated that each increase in row spacing up to 60 cm resulted in increased crop maturity by 0.54 days, plant height by 0.44 cm, number of branches would increase by 0.11, pods per plant by 1.96, seeds per pod by 0.04, seed weight per plant by 0.45, seed index by 0.152 g, oil content by 0.8% and increase in seed yield by 10.32 kg/ha. The recommended spacing for mustard is 30 10 and for hybrids it is 45 10. At Kumher, plant spacing 45 15 recorded signicant higher seed yield over other spacing but was on a par with 45 10 cm. At Pantnagar, 30 15 recorded signicantly higher seed yield which remained on a par with 45 10 and 45 15 cm plant spacing [20]. 5.5. Plant Population and Inter-Plant Shading. The dense plant population reduces the yield due to reduction in the photosynthetically active leaf area caused by mutual shading. In an experiment on Brassica juncea (Var. laxmi) the reduction is more due to shading at 91110 DAS over 7190 DAS. The specic leaf weight (SLW), crop growth rate (CGR), and net assimilation rate (NAR) were more adversely aected by 50% shading at 7190 DAS. Net assimilation ratio remained unaected by 25% shading, while it reduced signicantly by 50% shading at both the stages; the reduction was more with 50% due to shading at 91110 DAS. On an average 50% shading at 91110 DAS was more deleterious than 25% shading at 91110 DAS, that is, at terminal seed development stage (Table 5).

Ridge and furrow

Methods of sowing Water use eciency Oil (%) Seed yield

Figure 1: Seed yield, water use eciency, Kg/ha-mm (WUE), and oil content of mustard (Brassica juncea) as inuenced by various planting methods.

line sowing and broadcasting (Sowing of seeds by broad casting the seeds in the eld) in eastern parts of India. At Dholi, mustard sown with paira cropping recorded signicantly higher seed yield (1212 kg/ha) over line sown and broadcast method, while these 2 methods yielded at par. At Bhubaneswar, signicantly higher yield (887 kg/ha) of mustard was recorded when sown as utera crop over line and broadcast sown crop [15]. Ridge and furrow sowing was superior to conventional at sowing for growth parameters and yield of Brassica juncea [16]. Under saline condition, seed yield of canola in ridge sowing was higher by 45, 31, and 28% than broadcast, drill and furrow sowing methods, respectively [17]. The highest yield was associated with less saline environment at the ridges which allowed the seed to germinate and increase the yield. Transplanting of mustard has also been reported thereby saving time, and resources. Transplanting reduces days to maturity and results in higher seed yield. Ridge transplanting reduced water applied by 30% for each furrow as compared to 45 cm row spacing in at method without any loss in seed yield. The corresponding increase in water use eciency (WUE) was 27%. In bed planting, there was a 35% saving in water resulting in 32% increase in WUE (Figure 1). 5.4. Crop Geometry. The competitive ability of a rapeseedmustard plant depends greatly upon the density of plants per unit area and soil fertility status. The optimum plant population density/unit area varies with the environment, the genotype, the seeding time, and the season. Uniform distribution of crop plants over an area results in ecient use of nutrients, moisture, and suppression of weeds leading to high yield. In wider row spacing, solar radiation falling within the rows gets wasted particularly during the early stages of crop growth whereas in closer row spacing upper part of the crop canopy may be well above the light saturation capacity but the lower leaves remain starved of light and contribute negatively towards yield.

3 rows and a trench

Line sowing

Broadcast

Border planting

45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

1600 1550 1500 1450 1400 1350 1300 1250 1200 1150

Seed yield (kg/ha)

6. Cropping System
Physiography, soils, geological formation, climate, cropping pattern, and development of irrigation and mineral resources greatly inuence selection of variety and cropping system. Fallow mustard is popular sequence in major mustard growing areas but studies show that some of the crop result in better resource utilization and high remuneration if included in mustard-based cropping system. 6.1. Mustard Productivity under Various Crop Sequences. Under AICRP trials at Dholi, fallow-mustard sequence gave signicantly higher seed yield which was on a par with blackgram-mustard sequence: urdbean-mustard at Morena; greengram-mustard, guar-mustard, and pearlmillet-mustard at S. K. Nagar and Hisar; maize-mustard

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Table 5: Eect of shading on yield and growth parameters in Indian mustard at Hisar.

Treatment Control 25% shading at 7190 DAS 25% shading at 91110 DAS 50% shading at 7190 DAS 50% shading at 91110 DAS CD at 5%
Source: AICRP-RM, 2004.

Seed yield (kg/ha) 571.6 546.0 490.9 527.0 380.0 33.1

SLW (mg/cm2 ) 8.3 7.0 7.9 6.4 7.0 1.3

CGR (g/m2 /day) 11.3 10.8 9.4 9.9 8.3 1.0

NAR (mg/m2 /day) 0.93 0.93 0.87 0.95 0.83 0.05

Table 6: Seed yield (kg/ha), mustard equivalent yield (MEY), and gross return (Rs./ha) as inuenced by various intercropping combinations under rainfed conditions at Hisar. Treatment Pure mustard Mustard + chickpea (1 : 5) Mustard + eldpea (1 : 5) Mustard + linseed (1 : 5) Mustard + lentil (1 : 5) Mustard without intercropping at same distance as in intercropping CD at 5%
Source: AICRP-RM, 1997 [11].

Main crop 2565 966 1002 996 1015 1097

Intercrop 1035 189 642

MEY 2565 1956 1230 1721 1015 1092 350

Gross return (Rs./ha) 29,497 22,494 14,145 19,791 11,672 12,668

at Kangra and Pantnagar revealed superiority to fallowmustard. The productivity of the system also depends upon the fertility status and the nutrient supply. When mustard was grown after soybean or bajra, the response to S was observed up to 40 kg S/ha [21]. Productivity measured in terms of land equivalent ratio (LER) was higher for intercropping of chickpea and mustard in the 4 : 1 row ratio than for sowing of chickpea and mustard in sole stands [22]. 6.2. Inclusion of Gobhi Sarson (Brassica Napus) under Various Cropping Sequences. Gobhi sarson is comparatively recent introduction and hence needs identication of suitable cropping systems. Growing gobhi sarson and toria in alternate rows at 22.5 cm spacing is very remunerative. Maizegobhi sarson, blackgram-gobhi sarson, rice-gobhi sarson, and soybean-gobhi sarson were identied remunerative cropping systems at Kangra [21]. 6.3. Mustard-(Brassica Juncea) Based Cropping System under Rainfed Areas. There are possibilities of increasing cropping intensity in monocropping mustard areas under rainfed condition. Green manuring or guar during rainy season enhance seed yield of succeeding mustard [12]. In addition to ecient resource use, intercropping imparts stability to productivity and reduces the risk of crop failure. Under irrigated conditions, at Bharatpur, the seed yield equivalent of mustard (Brassica juncea) was signicantly higher where mustard was grown in combination with potato (1 : 3), mustard + wheat (1 : 5), mustard + barley (1 : 5) than pure mustard. At Hisar, intercropping Brassica juncea (variety RH-30) with rabi crops had revealed highest gross return (Rs. 29,498) when mustard was grown as a pure crop. The mustard seed equivalent was highest in mustard + chickpea

(1 : 5). Intercropping of mustard with chickpea, eld pea, or linseed proved superior over their cultivation as a pure crop (Table 6).

7. Fertilizer Management
Adequate nutrient supply increases the seed and oil yields by improving the setting pattern of siliquae on branches, number of siliquae/plant, and other yield attributes [23]. Recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) for dierent zones changes with climate, soil type, time, and type of cropping system followed. 7.1. Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization. Nitrogen use eciency is greatly inuenced by the rate, source, and method of fertilizer application. The rate of nitrogen depends upon the initial soil status, climate, topography, cropping system in practice, and crop. Crop under zero tillage is also more productive (695 kg/ha) with 80 kg N/ha [14]. Increase in the nitrogen level up to 60 kg N/ha consistently and signicantly increased the number of primary branches, number of seeds per siliquae and 1000 seed weight [24]; however, increasing the nitrogen level up to 90 kg/ha increased the number of secondary branches per plant, number of siliquae per plant, and seed and straw yield with maximum cost benet ratio of 3.03 [25]. Split application of total nitrogen in three equal doses one-each as basal, second after rst irrigation and remaining one-third after second irrigation resulted in maximum increase in yield attributes and yield of Brassica juncea compared to application of total nitrogen in two split doses [26]. Top dressing of N fertilizers should be done immediately after rst irrigation. Delaying of rst irrigation, results in yield reduction of mustard crop. The application

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Table 7: Eect of N and S levels (kg/ha) application on fatty acid composition and glucosinolate content in Brassica juncea cv. Varuna at Ludhiana. N (Kg/ha) S (Kg/ha) 75 75 100 100 125 125 0 20 0 20 0 20 Glucosinolate content (moles/g in defatted meal) 64 72 52 42 52 42 Palmitic acid 2.61 2.88 2.58 2.91 3.01 4.42 Stearic acid 1.17 1.31 1.58 1.65 1.33 1.31 Oleic acid 11.78 10.15 13.16 11.94 12.19 16.12 Linoleic acid 14.99 14.53 15.31 15.06 16.17 16.55 Linolenic acid 6.48 5.14 7.01 6.13 5.91 6.57 Eicosenoic Erucic acid acid 50.91 52.75 49.55 49.63 47.71 44.77 11.80 12.28 10.57 12.18 12.26 9.55

Source: AICRP-RM, 2007 [14].

of nitrogen with presowing irrigation was superior to that of nitrogen application with last preparatory tillage. In case of nitrogen applied with pre-sowing irrigation single application of nitrogen was on a par with split application [27]. Application of phosphorus up to 60 kg/ha signicantly enhanced dry matter/plant. Plant height, branches per plant and leaf chlorophyll content increased with up to 40 kg P/ha. The uptake of NPK and sulphur by both seed and stover increased signicantly with successive increase in nitrogen levels up to 120 kg N/ha, sulphur levels up to 60 kg S/ha, and P2 O5 level up to 60 kg P2 O5 /ha. Seed yield and yield attributes increased while oil content decreased with increasing level of nitrogen up to 120 kg/ha. Dierent levels of phosphorus increased seed yield, maximum being at 80 kg P/ha due to higher number of secondary branches/plant and consequently siliquae/plant. Oil content also increased with increase in levels of N, P2 O5 , and S. Activities of all nitrogen assimilating enzymes, namely; nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, glutamine synthetase, and glutamate synthetase were found to be maximum at 100 kg N/ha.

1600 1400 Seed yield (kg/ha) 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Varuna Vardan Pusa bold RH-30 Aravali

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Control Zn application Yield enhancement with Zn

Figure 2: Inuence of zinc application on seed yield of dierent cultivars of mustard.

7.2. Sulphur Fertilization. Among the oilseed crops, rapeseed-mustard has the highest requirement of sulphur [28]. Sulphur promotes oil synthesis. It is an important constituent of seed protein, amino acid, enzymes, glucosinolate and is needed for chlorophyll formation [29]. Sulphur increased the yield of mustard by 12 to 48% under irrigation, and by 17 to 124% under rainfed conditions [30]. In terms of agronomic eciency, each kilogram of sulphur increases the yield of mustard by 7.7 kg [31]. Oil content in Canola-4 and Hyola-401 is 3% higher than the hybrid PGSH-51 due to the eect of various doses of nitrogen and sulphur, while the oleic acid content in these hybrids is double that PGSH-51. PGSH-51 had erucic acid ranging from 23.2 in to 29.4%. At higher sulphur level there is 2-3% reduction in erucic acid content. However, lower level of nitrogen reduced erucic acid content by 3% with a concomitant increase in oleic acid (Table 7). Higher doses of sulphur along with low doses of nitrogen aect the chain elongation enzyme system thereby leading to reduction in erucic synthesis.

A signicant increase in yield was observed with increase in sulphur levels up to 40 kg S/ha in mustard-based cropping system. At Bawal, the highest seed yield of mustard was recorded in green gram-mustard cropping sequence while the lowest (2686 kg/ha) in pearl millet-mustard sequence. In rice-mustard sequence, the optimum seed yield of mustard was obtained at 40 kg S/ha at Behrampore and for blackgram-mustard at Dholi. Each successive increase in S level increased seed yield up to 20 kg S/ha at Dholi and Ludhiana, 40 kg S/ha at S. K. Nagar, and 60 kg S/ha at Behrampore and Morena conditions [32]. 7.3. Micronutrients. Mustard, in general is very sensitive to micronutrient deciency, specially zinc and boron. The increase in seed yield was 8.5% at 12.5 kg ZnSO4 /ha. The harvest index (HI) was signicantly aected by Zn application, although seed yield showed diminishing return with additional ZnSO4 doses (Table 8). The response of various ideotype to the applied micronutrients varies considerably. The response of Indian mustard varieties, viz. Pusa Bold and Vardan to applied zinc was found higher (AICRP-RM, 2000) as compared to Varuna, RH- 30 and Aravali (Figure 2). The concentration of Zn at owering, pod formation stage, concentration and uptake of Zn in straw and grain

Yield enhancement (kg/ha)

International Journal of Agronomy

Table 8: Eect of Zn on yield and yield attributes of indian mustard.

ZnSO4 (Kg/ha) levels 0 12.5 25.0 50 CD at 5%

Seed yield (kg/ha) 1161 1260 1336 1414 33

Secondary Oil content (%) Oil yield (kg/ha) Protein (%) branches/plant 6.5 40.2 465.6 22.1 8.1 39.9 501.1 22.5 9.6 39.9 532.4 22.6 12.4 39.9 570.0 22.5 0.7 NS 22.8 NS

Protein yield (kg/ha) 255.2 281.9 301.6 318.6 18.8

Harvest index (%) 21.6 22.4 22.9 22.2 0.8

Source: AICRP-RM, 2000 [33].

at maturity and uptake of Zn in grain and straw at maturity of Indian mustard increased signicantly with increase in Zn levels [34]. Similarly, the seed yield increased signicantly (1647%) with the application of boron. The average response to boron application ranged from 21 to 31%. The yield increase was due to 27% and 10% increase, respectively, in seeds/siliqua and 1000 seed weight, indicating the importance role in seed formation [35, 36]. 7.4. Organic Sources of Nutrients. Bulky organic manures are applied to improve overall soil health and reduce evaporation losses of soil moisture. Depending upon the availability of raw material and land use conditions various organic sources, namely, clusterbean (green manure), Sesbania (green manure), mustard straw @ 3 t/ha and Vermicompost (2.5 7.5 t/ha) have been evaluated at Bharatpur. Green manure with Sesbania gave signicantly higher mustard seed yield at Bharatpur and Bawal. Sesbania green manuring has shown higher mustard yield and improved soil environment (AICRP-RM, 2006). Many biostimulants also encourage higher production. At Hisar, foliar spray of Bioforce (an organic formulation) 2 mL/L at the owering and siliqua formation stage enhanced mustard seed yield (2059 kg/ha) [14]. 7.5. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM). It is important to exploit the potential of organic manures, composts, crop residues, agricultural wastes, biofertilizers and their synergistic eect with chemical fertilizers for increasing balanced nutrient supply and their use eciency for increasing productivity, sustainability of agriculture, and improving soil health and environmental safety. Balanced fertilization at right time by proper method increases nutrient use eciency in mustard. Experiments have been conducted at dierent AICRP centres with the integrated use of organic manure, green manure, crop residue, and biofertilizers along with inorganic fertilizers. INM not only reduces the demand of inorganic fertilizers but also increases the eciency of applied nutrients due to their favourable eect on physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. The introduction of leguminous crops in the rotational and intercropping sequence and use of bacterial and algal cultures play an important role in increasing the nutrient use eciency [37]. 7.5.1. Growth Promoter, BioFertiliser as a Component of INM. Biofertilizers are inoculants or preparation containing

micro-organims that apply nutrients especially N and P. Two types of N-xing microorganisms namely free living (Azotobacter) and associative symbiosis (Azospirillum) and two P supplying microorganisms, namely, phosphate solubilizing bacteria and vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) were extensively tested at various AICRP-RM centers. Inoculation of mustard seeds with ecient strains of Azotobacter and Azospirillum enhanced the seed yield up to 389 and 305 kg respectively with 40 Kg N/ha. The total NPK uptake was also higher with Azotobacter inoculation. The combined application of 10 t FYM + 90 : 45 : 45 NPK kg/ha with Azotobacter inoculation gave the highest B : C ratio of 1.51. At lower N levels, without inoculation, the seed yield decline was more as compared to inoculated treatment. Growth promoters formulations like bioforce and biopower contain bio-amino acid, plant growth promoting terpenoid, siderophores, and attenuated bacteria fortied with BGA helped to increase water and nutrient absorption from the soil. Similarly, bioforce contains natural free amino acid, phytohormones, macro- and microelements and plant growth promoting terpenoid activated the cell division and stimulates plant growth, development, and photosynthate translocation. RDF (80 : 40 : 0) along with 25 kg Biopower/ha + spray of Bioforce (1l in 500 litres of water) at 50% owering and pod lling stage gave signicant higher yield of mustard over other combinations [35, 36]. 7.5.2. Eect of INM on Quality of Mustard Oil. At Kanpur, INM studies were evaluated in maize-mustard, bajramustard, and fallow mustard sequence. In maize-mustard sequence, 100/75% of RDF + 2 t FYM gave highest seed yield and quality of the oil (Table 9). 7.5.3. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and Nutrient Use Eciency. INM improves the nutrient uptake by mustard and hence enhances the use eciency of various nutrients from the soil. The incorporation of 25% nitrogen through FYM + 75% by chemical fertilizer + 100% sulphur signicantly enhanced the uptake use eciency and of nitrogen and sulphur in both seed and stover of crop followed by 100% NS and 50% N through FYM + 50% by chemical fertilizer + 100% S [38]. The highest mustardequivalent yield, which includes converted yield of other crops in to mustard seed yield based on market price of the crops (24.88 q/ha), net monetary returns (Rs. 15,537/ha), B : C ratio (2.07), and agronomic eciency (16.1) were

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Table 9: Eect of INM on quality of mustard (Kanti-RK 9807) under maize-mustard sequence. Treatment RDF (120-40-40) T1 + 10 t FYM/ha T2 + 40 Kg S/ha T3 + Zn SO4 25 kg/ha T4 + B 1 kg/ha T1 + Crop residue (Maize) 75% RDF Legends Oil content (%) T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 40.4 40.9 40.4 40.3 40.7 40.1 40.4

Fatty Acid composition (%) 16 : 1 18 : 1 18 : 2 18 : 3 20 : 1 22 : 1 Palmtic acid Oleic acid Linoleic acid Linolenic acid Eicosenoic acid Erucic acid 2.8 18.4 10.1 10.6 4.3 52.7 2.8 16.3 13.3 10.4 4.1 52.2 2.9 18.0 14.4 12.2 3.2 48.6 2.8 17.8 14.9 10.1 6.1 47.3 2.7 23.0 16.2 9.0 5.2 43.3 2.7 20.0 14.3 9.2 4.4 48.6 2.6 17.8 15.1 7.9 6.3 49.7

Source: Modied from AICRP-RM, 2002 [21].

recorded with the application of 100% recommended N in the rainy season through FYM and 100% recommended NP in the winter season through inorganic fertilizers [39]. Agronomic eciency is the response in terms of increase in mustard seed yield per unit use of nitrogen. At Bharatpur and Jobner, 17.8 and 8.6% increase in seed yield was recorded with 50% RDF + 50% N through FYM and vermin-compost. Sole organic treated plot recorded 29.9% lesser seed yield over RDF at Jobner [32]. Amount of available phosphorus increased over initial value when organic manures and crop residues were incorporated. Organic carbon status builds up in organic source incorporated plots. The application of 10 t FYM/ha in addition to recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) improved soil physical condition by improving aggregation, increased saturated hydraulic conductivity, and reducing bulk density and penetration resistance of the surface soil [40].

8. Water Management
Rapeseed-mustard crop is sensitive to water shortage. A substantial rapeseed-mustard area in Rajasthan (82.3%), Gujrat (98%), Haryana (75.6%), and Punjab (92.4%) is covered under irrigation. A positive eect of irrigating rapeseedmustard at critical stages is observed. Water use eciency was highest when irrigation was applied at 0.8 IW : CPE ratio and increased with increasing N rate [41, 42]. Number of irrigations is important for working out the most ecient water use by mustard. For mustard, two irrigations, one at owering stage and at siliqua formation stage increased seed yield by 28% over the rainfed plots [43]. Increase in the amount of water increased leaf water potential, stomatal conductance, light absorption, leaf area index, seed yield, and evapotranspiration and decreased canopy temperature [44]. In similar study by Panda et al. [45], an average increase in seed yield with irrigation at the owering and pod development stages and irrigation at the owering stage over the control was 62.9% and 41.7%, respectively. However, for number of seeds per siliqua and oil content, single irrigation at 45 DAS remained parallel with two irrigations [46]. The water use eciency was highest with one irrigation at 45 DAS. Crop receiving two irrigations at preowering and pod-lling stages produce about 33 percent more seed than unirrigated crops [47]. Single irrigation given at vegetative

stage is found to be most critical, as irrigation at this stage produces the highest yield. When two irrigations are given, the irrigation at vegetative and pod formation stages is of maximum benet. The irrigation at vegetative, owering, and pod formation stages resulted in the highest yield, where three irrigations were given. Oil and protein yield were also signicantly aected by number and stages of irrigation (Table 10). Irrigation is very important for getting the optimum productivity potential of mustard, but equally important is the quality of irrigation water. If the quality of irrigation water is poor, it needs certain treatment and management before being utilized for crop production. The increasing levels of salinity of the irrigation water applied at presowing and ower initiation reduces the plant height, the branching pattern, and the pod formation [48]. Irrigation with saline water (12 and 16 dS/m) decreased the dry matter yield signicantly when applied at pre-sowing or later. The saline irrigation at the pre-owering stage or later reduced the grain yield by 50% and 70%, respectively. As a result of saline water irrigation, the soil water inltration was reduced up to 7%. The EC and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) were increased by 2.2 dSm1 and 9.0, respectively. The yield of mustard crop could be further increased by better leveling the plots, reducing the level dierence to less than 10 cm [49]. The ill eects of saline water can be overcome with proper N management. Nonsaline water can be substituted by applying N and saline water [50].

9. Weed Management
Weeds cause alarming decline in crop production ranging from 1530% to a total failure in rapeseed-mustard yield. The critical period is 1540 days. Weeds compete with crop plants for water, light, space, and nutrients. Therefore, timely and appropriate weed control greatly increases the crop yield and thus nutrient use eciency. The common weeds of mustard are Chenopodium album, C. murale, Cyperus rotundas, Cynodon dactylon, Melilotus alba, Asphodelus tenuifolius, Orobanche spp. and Anagallis arvensis. Farmers have adopted herbicides for weed control because the chemicals can increase the prot, weed control eciency, production exibility and reduce time and

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Table 10: Inuence of irrigation levels and stages on seed yield, oil yield and protein yield of Indian mustard.

Treatment 4 irrigations at V + F + P + S 3 irrigations at V + F + P 3 irrigations at V + F + S 2 irrigations at V + P 2 irrigations at V + F 2 irrigations at F + P 2 irrigations at P + S 1 irrigation at V 1 irrigation at F CD at 5%

Seed yield (Kg/ha) 2260 2250 2200 2150 2090 2020 1520 1920 1790 480

Oil yield (kg/ha) 909 901 886 879 841 803 574 773 727 144

Protein yield (kg/ha) 454 454 442 436 422 417 316 386 371 94

Note: V: vegetative stage; F: owering stage; P: pod formation; S: seed development. Source: AICRP-RM, 1999 [15].

labour requirement for weed management. Hand weeding at 20DAS, uchloralin preplant incorporation @ 0.75 kg/ha, wooden hand plough between the lines at 35 DAS on Indian mustard was found eective [51]. Polythene mulch was also found eective in controlling the weeds in mustard [52]. At Bawal, reductions in weed population and dry matter were obtained with uchloralin supplemented with hand weeding at 30 and 60 DAS, which remained on a par with isoproturon and pendimethalin supplemented with hand weeding at 30 and 60 DAS. Weed-free plot recorded 39.9% higher seed yield over weedy check [32]. Broomrape (Orobanche) is a major devastating parasitic weed of mustard. Broomrape weed infestation caused 28.2% average reduction in Indian mustard yield. Among Orobanche spp., O. aegyptiaca is one of the most important parasitic weed causing severe yield and quality reducing factor in rapeseed-mustard. It is endemic in semiarid region and may reach epidemic proportions depending upon soil moisture and temperature. Preceding crop of cowpea, black gram, moth bean, sunn hemp, cluster bean, and sesame signicantly reduced Orobanche menace in succeeding mustard crop while sorghum, pearl millet, chilies, and green gram did not inuence broomrape infestation in mustard [53]. At Bharatpur, S. K. Nagar and Bawal directed spray of glyphoste (0.251.0%) and 2 drops of soybean oil per young shoot of Orobanche showed eective control and recorded 91.9% higher seed yield over infected sick plot. Some cultural practices like mulching and hoeing are also helpful to curb some of the major weeds in mustard by providing a shield against sunlight, reducing the soil temperature and acting as a physical barrier for emergence of weeds. Maximum seed yield (2540 kg/ha) was obtained in the treatments where plots were kept weed-free followed by the treatment where mulching was done after hoeing (Table 11).

Table 11: Seed yield (kg/ha) and weed population/m2 as inuenced by dierent weed control practices. Treatment Control Weed free (Khurpi) Hoeing at 25 DAS Mulching with bajra orets Fluchloralin @ 1 kg a.i./ha PPI Pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i./ha PE Isoproturon @ 1 kg a.i./ha PE Hoeing at 25 DAS + mulching Fluchloralin @ 1 kg a.i./ha PPI + Hoeing Fluchloralin @ 1 kg a.i./ha PPI + Mulching Pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i./ha PE + hoeing Pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i./ha PE + mulching Isoproturon @ 1 kg a.i./ha PE + hoeing Isoproturon @ 1 kg a.i./ha PE + mulching
Source: AICRP-RM, 2002 [21].

Seed yield 1620 2520 2300 1960 2000 2050 1740 2400 2210 2100 2300 1860 1950 1910

Weed population/m2 57.0 0.0 19.3 23.0 23.0 22.1 26.3 17.9 20.3 22.5 18.9 19.5 22.5 22.9

10. Response to Plant Growth Regulators

Plant growth regulators (PGR) involved in manipulating plant developments, enhancing yield and quality have been actualized in recent years. Indeterminate plant growth habit, shattering, or dehiscence of fruits and lodging are the

most signicant and consistent limitations to maximum seed yields in Brassica spp. Considerable seed loss takes place, before or during harvest, due to shattering of fruits, which is correlated with hormonal imbalances and poorly developed lignied cells in the fruit wall. Further, lodging of the crop canopy adversely aects seed quality and yield due to decreased photosynthesis, increased disease severity, impaired rate of drying, and reduced harvest eciency. Chemical plant growth regulators are being increasingly used as an aid to yield enhancement [54]. Brassinolide is the most bioactive form of the growthpromoting plant steroid termed as Brassinosteroids. Biologically active brassinosteroids show high growth-promoting as well as antistress activity besides other multiple eects on

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Table 12: Seed yield (kg/ha) and net returns (Rs./ha) of mustard as inuenced by foliar application of agrochemicals at dierent locations. Treatment S. K. Nagar Seed yield Net returns (kg/ha) over control 1707 2087 3226 2249 6712 2039 2019 1921 1928 150 4070 5409 4622 3418 Sriganganagar Seed yield (kg/ha) 1604 1696 1799 1883 1845 1667 1650 158 Ludhiana Oil content (%) Oil yield (kg/ha) 34.7 35.9 35.2 33.4 34.7 33.2 34.3 375 429 405 411 396 372 387 Glucosinolate ( mole/g defatted meal) 130 142 149 134 124 126 115

Control Thiourea (0.1%) S @ 40 kg/ha S @ 40 kg/ha + Thiourea (0.1%) Urea (2%) ZnSO4 (0.5%) Boric acid (0.1%) CD at 5%
Source: AICRP-RM, 2003 [5].

Table 13: Eect of low monetary agrotechniques on seed yield and oil content of mustard at Bharatpur during 1997-1998. Treatments Local Practice (T1) RP (No thinning and gypsum) (T2) RP + thinning at 15 & 25 DAS (T3) T3 + N-S sowing (T4) T3 + Removal of 4th row and 4th plant (T5) T5 + 56.75% N as top dressing (T6) T3 + I irrigation at 4050 DAS (T7) T1 + 200 kg gypsum/ha (T8) T3 + removal of 4 older leaves (T9) RP + de-topping at bud-initiation stage (T10)
Source: AICRP-RM, 1998 [12].

Seed yield (kg/ha) 1200 1371 1407 1376 1156 1073 1232 1217 1343 1464

% increase over local practice 14.2 17.3 14.7 3.7 10.6 2.7 1.4 11.9 22

Oil content (%) 40.3 40.3 40.5 40.7 40.4 40.3 40.6 40.9 40.5 40.7

Oil yield (kg/ha) 463 525 560 560 467 432 500 500 544 596

growth and development. As botanical juvenile hormones, they enhance the growth of young plant tissue and stimulate in submicromolar concentrations metabolic, dierentiation and growth processes. Brassinosteroid caused accumulation of maximum total dry matter as compared to rest of the treatment at physiological maturity. NPK accumulation and yield were maximal when spraying of GA3 was done at 40 DAS [55]. An increase in secondary and tertiary branching with consequent enhancement in seed yield through increased number of inoresence and siliquae per plant was observed with the application of Mixatalol (a mixture of long aliphatic alcohols varying in chain length from C24 to C32 ) to Brassica plants as foliar spray [56]. The percentage of immature siliquae and shattering of siliquae decreased with this treatment. Mixtalol increased total dry matter of plants, partitioning coecient, and harvest index. The contents of starch, protein, and oil were also higher in seeds from mixtalol treated plants. The maximum plant height (169.1 cm), number of primary branches per plant (8.2), seed yield (2031 kg/ha), stover yield (5752 kg/ha), harvest index (26.1%), oil content (42%), and net returns (Rs. 20,471/ha) were recorded with thiourea (Shrama and Jain, 2003). At Bawal and Morena, highest seed yield (2060 kg/ha) was obtained with 40 kg S/ha + thiourea (0.1%). At Sriganganagar, signicantly higher seed

yield (1883 kg/ha) was recorded on a par with 40 kg S/ha + thiourea (0.05%), urea (2%), H2 SO4 (0.1%), and 40 kg S/ha. 40 kg S/ha + thiourea (0.1%) resulted into 17.67% higher seed yield over no spray. The highest oil content (35.9%) was recorded with thiourea 0.1% spray. Glucosinolate content ranged from 115 to 154 (mole/g defatted meal) in dierent treatment (Table 12).

11. Impact of Low Monetary Agrotechniques on Mustard Productivity

Agricultural inputs like fertilizer, irrigation, insecticides, pesticides, and herbicides, and so forth, are very expensive. Some nonmonetary or low monetary inputs can enhance the yield considerably with a slight increase in the cost of cultivation. There are a number of low monetary agro techniques which enhance the mustard yield considerably (Table 13). For harvesting the maximum yield of rapeseed-mustard at a given situation, all the production technologies, like, soil amendments, thinning, nutrient supply, sowing direction, irrigation, plant protection, and so forth should be planned well in advance. At Bharatpur, highest seed yield (1464 kg/ha) was recorded with the application of recommended practice (RP) + thinning at 15 and 25 DAS + detopping

12 at bud-initiation stage followed by RP + thinning at 15 and 25 DAS.

International Journal of Agronomy Fertilizer application is little or nonexistent leading to poor productivity. Whether little is spent on fertilizer input goes entirely on nitrogenous fertilizers. This results in a big gap between requirement and production of mustard in India. Therefore site-specic nutrient management through soil-test recommendation based should be adopted to improve upon the existing yield levels obtained at farmers eld. Optimum crop geometry, balanced NPK fertilizers, intercultural operations, and inclusion of farmyard manure are the building blocks for achieving the utmost yield targets of rapeseed-mustard. Eective management of natural resources, integrated approach to plant-water, nutrient and pest management and extension of rapeseed-mustard cultivation to newer areas under dierent cropping systems will play a key role in further increasing and stabilizing the productivity and production of rapeseed-mustard to realize 24 million tonnes of oilseed by 2020 AD.

12. Future Line of Research

Rapeseed-mustard will continue to contribute considerably to the oilseed bowl of the country. A streamlined research programme for rapeseed-mustard should be focused on the below-mentioned points. (i) Horizontal and vertical intensication in rapeseedmustard production needs to be done for selfsuciency in oilseed production. It is possible through varietal improvement and introduction of mustard in nontraditional areas. (ii) An optimum agronomic package of practices for high yielding and insect, pest, and disease resistant varieties, along with the upcoming hybrids needs to be worked out. (iii) Adoption of site-specic nutrient management (SSNM), precision agriculture, and conservation agriculture can bring more prots to the mustard growers. (iv) An integrated weed management approach needs to be developed for problematic and parasitic weeds in mustard. Orobanche is becoming a serious constraint and for its management a holistic approach which includes GM techniques needs to be explored. (v) Suitable crop models and simulation for various inputs like water and nutrients will be helpful to target the most productive and most potential mustard growing zones of India.

References
[1] India. Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, Department of Agricultural and cooperation. Ministary of Agriculture, Government of India, 2010. [2] J. S. Chauhan, K. H. Singh, and A. Kumar, Compendium of Rapeseed-mustard varieties notied in India, Directorate of Rapeseed-Mustard Research, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, pp. 713, 2006. [3] M. A. Asoodari, A. R. Barzegar, and A. R. Eftekhar, Eect of dierent tillage and rotation on crop performance, International Journal of Agrcultural Biology, vol. 3, no. 4, article 476, 2001. [4] A. L. Rathore, A. R. Pal, and K. K. Sahu, Tillage and mulching eects on water use, root growth and yield of rainfed mustard and chickpea grown after lowland rice, Journal of Science of Food and Agriculture, vol. 78, no. 2, pp. 149161, 1999. [5] AICRP-RM, Annual Progress Report of National Research Centre on Rapeseed-mustard.2002-2003, pp. 1114, 2003. [6] T. Nagra, R. E. Phillip, and J. E. Legett, Diusion and mass ow of nitrate-N into corn roots under eld conditions, Agronomy Journal, vol. 68, pp. 6772, 1976. [7] R. L. Blevins, M. S. Smith, and G. W. Thomas, Change in soil properties under no tillage, in No Tillage Agriculture, pp. 190 230, New York, NY, USA, 1984. [8] S. Snapp, R. Price, and M. Morton, Seed priming of winter annual cover crops improves germination and emergence, Agronomy Journal, vol. 100, no. 5, pp. 15061510, 2008. [9] N. A. Khan and S.O. Aziz, Response of mustard to seed treatment with pyridioxine and basal and foliar application of nitrogen and phosphorus, Journal of Plant Nutrition, vol. 16, no. 9, pp. 16511659, 1993. [10] A. Kumar, B. Singh, Yashpal, and J. S. Yadava, Eect of sowing time and crop geometry on tetralocular Indian mustard, Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 62, no. 4, pp. 258 262, 2001. [11] AICRP-RM, Annual Progress Report of All India Coordinated Research Project on Rapeseed-Mustard, pp. 97147, 1997. [12] AICRP-RM, Annual Progress Report of National Research Centre on Rapeseed-mustard. 1997-98, pp. 818, 1998. [13] R. Gupta, R. P. Avasthi, and S.J. Kolte, Inuence of sowing dates on the incidence of Sclerotinia stem rot of Rapeseedmustard, Annals of Plant Protection Sciences, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 223224, 2004.

13. Conclusion
The tremendous increase in oilseed production is attributed to the development of high yielding varieties coupled with improved production technology, their widespread adoption and good support price. To meet the ever-growing demand of oil in the country, the gap is to be bridged through management techniques. The vertical growth in mustard production can be brought by exploiting the available genetic resources with breeding and biotechnological tools which will break the yield barriers. Horizontal growth in rapeseed-mustard can be brought in those rapeseed-mustard growing areas/districts of the country, wherever, the yield is lower than the national average. Production technologies for dierent agroecological cropping systems, crop growing situations like intercropping, salinity, rainfall, and so forth, under unutilized farm situations like rice-fallows, mustard to be followed after cotton, sugarcane, soyabean, and so forth, and mustard as a paira crop in rice with lathyrus, lentil or any other competing rabi crop in traditional and nontraditional areas, need to be worked out. It is estimated that at least 1 million hectares can be brought under cultivation, through adoption of such cropping systems. Proper land preparation, proper time of sowing, selection of better quality seeds, and so forth are always neglected.

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[14] AICRP-RM, Annual Progress Report of All India Coordinated Research Project on Rapeseed-Mustard, pp. A116, 2007. [15] AICRP-RM, Annual Progress Report of All India Coordinated Research Project on Rapeseed-Mustard, pp. A144, 1999. [16] G. M. Khan and S. K. Agarwal, Inuence of sowing methods, moisture Stress and nitrogen levels on growth, yield components and seed yield of mustard, Indian Journal of Agricultural Science, vol. 55, no. 5, pp. 324327, 1985. [17] M. J. Khan, R. A. Khattak, and M. A. Khan, Inuence of sowing methods on the production of canola grown in saline eld, Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 687691, 2000. [18] F. C. Oad, B. K. Solangi, M. A. Samo, A. A. Lakho, HassanUl-Zia, and N. L. Oad, Growth, yield and relationship of Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) under dierent row spacing, International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 475476, 2001. [19] H. P. Sierts and G. Geister, Yield components stability in winter rape (Brassica napus L.) as a function of competition within the crop, in Proceedings of the 7th International Rapeseed Congress, p. 182, Poznan, Poland, May 1987. [20] AICRP-RM, Annual Progress Report of All India Coordinated Research Project on Rapeseed-Mustard, pp. 97144, 1996. [21] AICRP-RM, Annual Progress Report of National Research Centre on Rapeseed-mustard. 2001-02, pp. 2934, 2002. [22] K. K. Singh and K. S. Rathi, Dry matter production and productivity as inuenced by staggered sowing of mustard intercropped at dierent row ratios with chickpea, Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, vol. 189, no. 3, pp. 169175, 2003. [23] S. Chitale and M. C. Bhambri, Response of Rapeseedmustard to crop geometry, nutrient supply, farmyard manure and interculturea review, Ecology, Environment and Conservation, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 387396, 2001. [24] R. Sharma, K. S. Thakur, and P. Chopra, Response of N and spacing on production of Ethopian mustard under mid-hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh, Research on Crops, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 6568, 2007. [25] D. Sah, J. S. Bohra, and D. N. Shukla, Eect of N, P, S on growth attributes and nutrient uptake of mustard, Crop Research, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 234236, 2006. [26] M. L. Reager, S. K. Sharma, and R. S. Yadav, Yield attributes, yield and nutrient uptake of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) as inuenced by N levels and its split application in arid Western Rajasthan, Indian Journal of Agronomy, vol. 51, no. 3, pp. 213216, 2006. [27] A. S. Sidhu and K. S. Sandhu, Response of mustard to method of N application and timing of rst irrigation, Journal of Indian Society of Soil Science, vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 331334, 1995. [28] H. L. S. Tandon, S Research and Agricultural Production in India, Fertilizer Development and Consultation Organization, New Delhi, India, 2nd edition, 1986. [29] M. R. J. Holmes, Nutrition of the Oilseed Rape Crops, Applied science publishers, Essex, UK, 1980, In TSI/FAI/IFA Symposium. [30] M. S. Aulakh and N. S. Pasricha, S fertilization of oilseeds for yield and quality, in Proceedings of the TSI-FAI symposium. S in agriculture-S-11/3, 1988. [31] J. C. Katyal, K. L. Sharma, and K. Srinivas, S in Indian agriculture. pp. KS-2/1-2/12, 1997. [32] AICRP-RM, Annual Progress Report of All India Coordinated Research Project on Rapeseed-Mustard, pp. A122, 2007. [33] AICRP-RM, Annual Progress Report of National Research Centre on Rapeseed-mustard. 1999-2000, pp. 24, 2000.

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[34] M. Gupta and R. D. Kaushik, Eect of saline irrigation water and Zn on the concentration and uptake of Zn by mustard, in Proceedings of the 18th World Congress of Soil science, Philadelphia, Pa, USA, July 2006. [35] AICRP-RM, Annual Progress Report of All India Coordinated Research Project on Rapeseed-Mustard, pp. A128, 2005. [36] AICRP-RM, Annual Progress Report of National Research Centre on Rapeseed-mustard. 2004-05, pp. 911, 2005. [37] R. Prasad, S. N. Sharma, S. Singh, and R. Lakshaman, Agronomic practices for increasing nutrient use eciency and sustained crop production, in Proceedings of the National Seminar on Resource Management for Sustainable Production, New Delhi, India, February 1992. [38] M. A. Bhat, Singh, Room, and D. Dash, Eect of INM on uptake and use eciency of N and S in Indian mustard on an inceptisol, Crop Research, vol. 30, pp. 2325, 2005. [39] B. S. Kumpawat, Integrated nutrient management for maizemustard cropping system, Indian Journal of Agronomy, vol. 49, pp. 47, 2004. [40] K. M. Hati, A. K. Mishra, K. G. Mandal, P. K. Ghosh, and K. K. Bandopadhyay, Irrigation and nutrient management eect on soil physical properties under soybean-mustard cropping system, Agricultural Water Management, vol. 85, no. 3, pp. 279286, 2006. [41] N. Pandey, R. S. Tripathi, and B. N. Mittra, N, P and water management in greengram-rice-mustard cropping system, Annals of Agricultural Reseaarch, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 298302, 2004. [42] S. S. Parihar, Inuence of N and irrigation schedule on yield, water use and economics of summer rice, International Journal of Tropical Agriculture, vol. 19, no. 14, pp. 157162, 2001. [43] R. K. Ghosh, P. Bandopadhyay, and N. Mukhopadhyay, Performance of Rapeseed-mustard cultivars under various moisture regimes on the Gangetic Alluvial Plain of West Bengal, Journal of Agronomy and Crop Sciences, vol. 173, no. 1, pp. 510, 1994. [44] S. K. Yadav, K. Chander, and D. P. Singh, Response of latesown mustard to irrigation and N, The Journal of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 123, pp. 219224, 1994. [45] B. B. Panda, S. K. Bandyopadhyay, and Y. S. Shivay, Eect of irrigation level, sowing dates and varieties on yield attributes, yield, consumptive water use and water-use eciency of Indian mustard, Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 74, no. 6, pp. 339342, 2004. [46] I. Piri, Eect of irrigation on yield, quality and wateruse-eciency of Indian mustard, in Proceedings of the 14th Australian Society of Agronomy Conference, Adelaide, Australia, September 2008. [47] Gangasaran and G. Giri, Growth and yield of mustard as inuenced by irrigation and plant population, Annals of Agricultural Research, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 6874, 1986. [48] C. P. S. Chauhan and R. B. Singh, Mustard performs well even with saline irrigation, Indian Farming, vol. 42, pp. 17 20, 2004. [49] M. A. Kahlown, M. Akram, Z. A. Soomro, and W. D. Kemper, Prospectus of growing barley and mustard with saline ground water irrigation in ne and coarse textured soils of Cholistan desert, Irrigation and Drainage, vol. 51, no. 4, pp. 328338, 2008. [50] D. K. Majumdar, Eect of supplementary saline irrigation and applied N on the performance of dryland seeded Indian

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mustard, Experimental Agriculture, vol. 31, pp. 423428, 1995. J. Pandey and B. N. Mishra, Eect of weed management practices in a rice-mustard-mungbean cropping system on weeds and yield of crops, Annals of Agricultural Reaseach, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 3639, 2003. B. R. Bazaya, D. Kachroo, and R. K. Jat, Integrated weed management in mustard (Brassica juncea), Indian Jounal of Weed Science, vol. 38, no. 1-2, pp. 1619, 2006. S. Kumar, Identication of trap crop for reducing broomrape infestation in the succeeding mustard, Agronomy Digest, vol. 2, pp. 99101, 2002. M. Mobin, H. R. Ansari, and N. A. Khan, Timing of GA3 application to indian mustard: DM distribution, growth analysis and nutrient uptake, Journal of Agronomy, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 5360, 2007. N. A. Khan, H. R. Ansari, and Samiullah, Eect of gibberellic acid spray during ontogeny of mustard on growth, nutrient uptake and yield characteristics, Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, vol. 181, no. 1, pp. 6163, 1998. R. C. Setia, Richa, N. Setia, K. L. Ahuja, and C. P. Malik, Eect of Mixtalol on growth, yield and yield components of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea), Plant Growth Regulation, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 185192, 1989.

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