Nutrient Management Through Inorganic Fertilizers and Bio-stimulants in Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Aims: The field experiment was conducted to find out the effect of fertilizer levels and bio-stimulants on growth, yield and economics of mustard (Brassica juncea L.).

Study Design: This experiment was laid out in strip plot design comprising three fertilizer levels in horizontal strips and five bio-stimulants in vertical strips replicated thrice.

Place and Duration of Study: The field trial was carried out at the Instructional Farm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Dr. B.S.K.K.V., Dapoli, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India during Rabi 2023-24.

Methodology: The treatments consist of three horizontal strips of fertilizer levels viz., 80% RDF (F1), 100% RDF (F2), 120% RDF (F3) and five vertical strips of bio-stimulants viz., 0.5% humic acid (B1), 0.5% chitosan (B2), 3% vermiwash (B3), 1% Konkan kalp (B4), 0.1% triacontanol (B5). The seeds of mustard var. Varuna were sown at the spacing of 30 cm × 10 cm. The recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) used for the crop was 90:45:00 NPK kg ha-1. Foliar application of bio-stimulants were carried out at 20, 40 and 60 days after sowing (DAS).

Results: Among the fertilizer levels, application of 120% RDF (F3) recorded significantly higher growth, yield attributes and yield of mustard as well as it shows higher net returns (Rs. 25739 ha-1) and benefit: cost ratio (1.41). The seed and stover yield of mustard was increased by 12.95% and 8.30% respectively, with the application of 120% RDF as compared to the application of 80% RDF (F1) which recorded significantly minimum seed and stover yield in mustard. The growth parameters, yield attributes and yield of mustard were found significantly higher with the foliar application of 0.5% humic acid (B1) and it remained at par with the treatment foliar sprays 0.5% chitosan (B2). The net returns (Rs. 26760 ha-1) and benefit: cost ratio (1.43) was also found higher with the treatment of 0.5% humic acid (B1). With respect to bio-stimulants, foliar sprays of 0.5% humic acid (B1) showed 17.38% and 13.90% increase in seed and stover yield, respectively over foliar application of 0.1% triacontanol (B5) which recorded lowest yield in mustard. Combined application of 120% RDF and foliar sprays of 0.5% humic acid (F3B1) recorded significantly higher seed and stover yield of mustard and it remained at par with the treatment combination of 120% RDF and foliar sprays of 0.5% chitosan (F3B2).

Conclusion: Application of 120% RDF along with foliar application 0.5% humic acid or 0.5% chitosan might improve the yield and economic returns in mustard.