EFFECT OF IRRIGATION ON GROWTH, YIELD AND MOISTURE USE BY INDIAN MUSTARD (BRASSICA JUNCEA)

Abstract

The present study was carried out during rabi seasons of 2003-04 and 2004-2005 to find out the effect of irrigation on growth, yield and moisture use by Indian mustard. The results revealed that application of two irrigations at 45 and 90 days after sowing (DAS) significantly increased plant height, number of primary and secondary branches/plant, siliquae/plant, length of siliqua, number of seed/siliqua, 1000- seed weight, seed yield, straw yield, total biomass and oil yield over one irrigation (at 45 DAS), which in turn, resulted a significant increase in above mentioned parameters over no irrigation in both the years of study. Seasonal consumptive use of water by the crop increased progressively with the increase in number of irrigations, whereas, water use efficiency of crop increased up to one irrigation.