Productivity, profitability and quality of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) as influenced by fertilizer levels and integrated nutrient-management

A field experiment was carried out at Chaudhary Chhotu Ram Post-Graduate College, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh during 2009–10 and 2010–11 on sandy loam soil, to evaluate the appropriate fertilizer level of NPK in conjunction with integrated nutrient management schedule for Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson]. Twelve treatment combinations consisting of 2 fertilizer levels, viz. 75% RDF and 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (80.0 + 25.8 + 33.2 kg N + P + K/ha), and 6 INM schedules, viz. N, P, K alone and its successive combinations with vermicompost (VC), sulphur (S), zinc (Zn), boron (B) and Azotobacter, were studied in randomized block design (RBD) with 3 replications. Application of 100% RDF not only increased the growth and yield attributes but also increased the seed yield and nutrient uptake significantly, which resulted in higher net returns and benefit: cost ratio in comparison to 75% RDF. On an average, seed yield of Indian mustard increased to the tune of 7.4% under 100% RDF over 75% RDF. However, higher dose of inorganic fertilization had adverse effect on oil and favourable effect on glucosinolate contents and therefore, the highest values were registered under 75% RDF. Significantly higher growth, yield and yield components and nutrient uptake were recorded when N, P, K was integrated with VC 2 t/ha + sulphur 40 kg/ha +zinc sulphate 25 kg/ha + boron 1 kg/ha and seed inoculation with Azotobacter 10 g/kg seed, which was closely followed by the treatment N, P, K + VC + S + Zn + B. The increase in mean seed yield under the application of N, P, K + VC + S + Zn + B + Azotobacter was 28.14% higher over the NPK alone. Combined application of N, P, K + VC + S + Zn + B + Azotobacter also resulted in the maximum oil content, net returns and benefit: cost ratio, whereas the maximum glucosinolate content was observed with integrated use of N, P, K + VC + S.