Impact of integrated nutrient management on nutrient availability, nutrients uptake, growth, yield and quality characteristics of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) in light-textured soils
Abstract
The field study was conducted during the rabi season of 2024–25. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) consisting of 10 treatments and 3 replications, along with a control. The results revealed that integrated nutrient management (INM) significantly enhanced nutrient uptake, as well as the growth, yield and quality characteristics of Indian mustard. The application of 100 % recommended dose of fertiliser (RDF) + farmyard manure (FYM) at 2 t ha-1 + vermicompost at 0.6 t ha-1 resulted in higher plant growth parameters as such plant height (216.03 cm), number of primary branches per plant (8.83), number of secondary branches per plant (18.56) and leaf area index (LAI) (0.97). Moreover, the higher yield and quality parameters of mustard were documented under same treatment, which included higher number of siliqua per plant (618.70), number of seeds per siliqua (14.86), test weight (4.61g), harvest index (38 %), seed yield (2569.67 kg ha-1), stover yield per ha (4192.67 kg ha-1), biological yield (6762.33 kg ha-1), oil content (37.95 %), oil yield (975.71 kg ha-1), protein content (19.44 %) and protein yield (499.77 kg ha-1). Furthermore, treatment T7 enhanced the nutrient availability in seed (nitrogen (N): 3.50, phosphorous (P): 0.62, potassium (K): 0.97 and S: 0.40 kg ha-1) and stover (N: 0.48, P: 0.24, K: 0.41 and S: 0.24 kg ha-1). Similarly, higher nutrient uptake was recorded in seed (N: 90.04, P: 15.94, K: 24.94 and S: 10.29 kg ha-1) and stover (N: 20.15, P: 9.93, K: 17.35 and S: 9.93 kg ha-1) under same treatment. In contrast, minimum values for all these characteristics were observed in the treatment T1 (Control). The main aim of this investigation was to evaluate the impact of INM practices on nutrients availability, nutrients uptake, growth, yield, quality characteristics of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) in light-texture soils. The findings of this investigation revealed that treatment T7 was found to be the most effective nutrient management practice and to identify suitable INM strategies for sustainable mustard cultivation.