Oil yield and profitability of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L) as influenced by superabsorbent polymer, plant bio-regulators and soil moisture regimes

Abstract

A Field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2018-19 to evaluate the Field efficacy of superabsorbent 
polymer (SAP: Pusa hydrogel) and plant bio-regulators (PBR's) on growth, yield attributes, oil yield and economics of 
Indian mustard. PBR's like salicylic acid (SA, 100 ppm), thiourea (TU, 0.1%) and potassium nitrate (PN, 1.5%) along 
with SAP (2.5 kg/ha) were compared with control under moisture stress and normal moisture regimes in a factorial 
randomized complete block design with three replications. Results revealed that dry matter accumulation per plant, leaf 
chlorophyll content (SPAD), siliquae weight per plant, seed weight per plant, 1000-seed weight and oil content were 
decreased on an average by 8.3, 9.1, 10.4, 12.7, 7.7 and 0.7 %, respectively due to moisture stress imposed during post 
flowering period as compared to normal moisture regime. Further, moisture stress signicantly declined the oil yield by 
11.8 % and net returns by 13.1 % over the normal moisture regime. Nevertheless, these growth, yield and protability 
parameters under both the moisture regimes were improved substantially with the combined application of SAP+PBR's, 
though greater response was observed under moisture stress regime.  SAP+SA, being on par with SAP+TU and 
SAP+PN resulted the maximum oil yield (1.10 t/ha) and net returns (75.15 × 10 Rs./ha) which was found signicantly 
higher by 8.8 and 12.2 % over the SAP and by 30.3 and 34.0% over the control, respectively. The maximum B:C ratio 
was recorded with SAP+SA which was observed significantly higher over the rest of the treatments. Thus, combined 
application of SAP and PBRs (especially SA) can be recommended to mitigate deficit moisture stress, saving of 
irrigation water and to enhance the oil yield and profitability of Indian mustard in drought prone/ rainfed areas.