Growth dynamics of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) cv. Pusa Tarak as influenced by irrigation levels and row spacings

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted to study the effect of irrigation levels and row spacings on total above
ground dry matter accumulation, dry matter partitioning, crop growth rate and relative growth rate of Indian
mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.] cultivar Pusa Tarak during two consecutive Rabi seasons of
2012-13 and 2013-14 at Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidayalaya, College of Agriculture, Tikamgarh
(Madhya Pradesh), India. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with three replications consisted
three irrigation levels viz., control (I0:no post sowing irrigation), one irrigation at 40 DAS (I1) and two irrigations
at 40, and 75 DAS (I2) as main plot treatments and three row spacings viz., 20 cm (S1), 30 cm (S2), and 40 cm
(S3) as sub-plot treatments. The results revealed that irrespective of treatment variations, dry matter
accumulation in leaves and stem started slowly at early growth stage (30 DAS) and increased thereafter, and
was partitioned maximum in the reproductive parts at harvest. The maximum dry matter accumulation was
observed with two irrigations (at 40 DAS and 75 DAS) with 40 cm row spacing. The crop growth rate
(CGR) was significantly affected by irrigation and row spacing. However, relative growth rate (RGR) was
significantly influenced only by irrigation levels. Higher accumulation of dry matter in mustard ultimately
elevated the seed yield as confirmed by relationship study between seed yield and dry matter accumulation.