Response of brassicas to sulphur for yield

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during winter season of 1994-95 and 1995-96 on loamy-sand soil at Bawal to
study the effect of sulphur levels (0, 15,30 and 45 kg/ha) on quality and oil yield of 8 improved strains of Brassica.
Among oilseed brassicas, Indian mustard [Brassica/juncea (L.) Czernj. & Casson] strains 'RH 30', 'RH 781' and 'RH
8812' were at par and superior than 'RH 8814', 'T 59' and 'Bio 902' in respect of oil content. Whereas Ethiopian
mustard [Brassica carinafa (L.) Braun] strain 'HC 2' and taramira [Eruca vesicaria (L.) subsp sativa (Mill)] strain 'T
27' were inferior than Indian mustard strains in respect of oil content. Brassica strains 'Bio 902', 'RH 8814' and 'RH
30' gave significantly higher oil yield than rest of the strains. However, quality parameters (protein, sinigrin/glucosinolate
content and iodine value of oil) were maximum in taramira followed by Ethiopian mustard and Indian mustard. On an
average, application of sulphur in brassicas @45 kg/ha increased the oil content, oil yield, protein, sinigrin/glucosinolate
content and iodine value of oil by a margin of 5.57, 30.77, 8.63, 13.19 and 4.17% respectively compared to the no
sulphur under light-textured soils of semi-arid climate.