Crop geometry and fertility levels influence seed productivity, profitability and irrigation water use efficiency of dwarf Indian mustard

Abstract

The experiment on different crop geometry and fertility levels were conducted split plot design with three replications during 2015-16 and 2016-17 for dwarf Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) NPJ 176 with the objective to find out optimum seed yield, irrigation water use efficiency and economics. The narrower crop geometry 20 × 20 cm and 20 × 10 cm have higher secondary branching, main shoot length (cm) , seeds per siliqua and total number of siliqua,/plant. With the increasing levels of fertility (at 125% and 150% RDF) most of the growth and yield attributes increased. Significantly higher seed and biological yield was obtained at narrow crop spacing (20 × 10 cm and 20 × 20 cm) in RDF, 125% RDF and 150% RDF. The fertility levels and crop geometry showed that higher seed yield was obtained at 150 RDF at 20 × 20 cm crop geometry. Higher irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) was observed at 20x10 cm and 20x20 cm crop geometry. Maximum IWUE of 20.4 kg/hamm was observed at 20 × 20 cm crop geometry in 150% RDF.The higher gross, net returns, B:C ratio and profitability were observed at 20 × 10 cm and 20 × 20 cm crop geometry. The economics in terms of net return/ha also reflects that fertility levels of 150% RDF resulted in higher benefit at 20 × 20 cm and 20 × 10 cm crop spacing.