Agronomy – Rabi Crops

Rapeseed And Mustard

Dr. I.P.S. Ahlawat Head,

Division of Agronomy Indian Agricultural Research Institute

New Delhi – 110 012

RAPESEED AND MUSTARD Botanical Name: Brassica spp

Family: Brassicaceae (Cruciferae)

Rapeseed and mustard are the third most important edible oilseed crops of the world after soybean and oil palm. ‘Rape’ is a Latin word means turnip. ‘Mustard’ also a Latin term ‘must’/‘mustum’ denotes expressed juice of grapes and ‘ardens’ means hot and burning. Rapeseed and mustard comprise of 6 species as given below.

1. Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss.]

Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. (Source:USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A.

Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol. 2: 193.

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Brassica juncea

Source: Tennessee Vascular Plants Atlas Source: www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/.../single.asp?strID=51

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2. Toria (B.rapa L. ssp. toria); Yellow sarson (B.rapa L. ssp. Yellow sarson); Brown sarson (B.rapa L. ssp. Brown sarson). B.rapa is synonym to B. campestris

http://www.svlele.com/rapeseed.htm

Brassica rapa L. (Source : http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/ © Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College.)

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Brassica rapa Source © 2004 Robert E. Preston, Ph.D.

Brassica rapa seeds: Source: Carole Ritchie. Provided by ARS Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory. Sweden, Svalof.

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3. Gobhi sarson (B. napus L.) www.missouriplants.com/

B. napus L (Source: Wikipedia) Canola seeds

Brassica napus

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4. Karan rai (B. carinata Brown)

B. carinata Brown (Source: http://cpi.blogfa.com)

5. Black mustard (B. nigra (L.) Koch)

Brassica nigra L.: (Source: Wikipedia)

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Brassica nigra L. (Source: http://tenn.bio.utk.edu/vascular/database)

Black Mustard seeds

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6. Taramira (Eruca sativa Mill.).

Eruca vesicaria (L.) Cav. ssp. sativa (P. Mill.) Thellung

Source : uvalde.tamu.edu/herbarium/erve.htm

Eruca vesicaria (L.) Cav. subsp. sativa (Mill.) Thell. Seed Pods

. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arugula

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These crops are grown under a wide range of agro-climatic conditions. Indian mustard is the most important member of the group, accounting for more than 70% of the area under rapeseed-mustard, followed by toria, yellow sarson and brown sarson. Taramira is raised on very poor sandy soils with low rainfall. Mustard and sarson group of plants, however, are grown both on sandy and heavy soils under irrigated as well as rainfed conditions. These crops are commonly cultivated in areas of marginal and submarginal productivity, either mixed or intercropped with wheat, barley, gram, pea, sugarcane, lentil etc. In areas of advanced agronomy, they are chiefly grown as pure crop.

The oil content varies from 37 to 49%. The seed and oil are used as condiment in the preparation of pickles and for flavouring curries and vegetables. The oil is utilized for human consumption throughout the northern India, in cooking and frying purposes. It is also used in the preparation of hair oils and medicines. It is used in the manufacture of greases. The oil cake is used as feed and manure. Green stem and leaves are a good source of green fodder for cattle. The oil cakes contain ‘sinirgin’, that causes palatability problem due to its bitter taste, and glucosinolate that limits use of oil cake as protein supplement. The leaves of young plants are used as green vegetables as they supply sulphur and minerals in the diet. In the tanning industry, mustard oil is used for softening leather.

Origin Brassica juncea is the oldest cultivated amphidiploid, and is believed to have originated from B. rapa and B. nigra in Asia minor and southern Iran. Song et al. (1988) based on RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) studies suggested two centres of origin viz. Middle-East and China. B. rapa (rapeseed) is grown as leafy vegetable (China and Japan), oilseed (India) and as turnip-rape (Europe). Want et al. (1995) suggested Anhui Province (South China) as the center of origin of B. rapa. based on erucic acid content. However, Reiner et al. (1995), based on taxonomic studies, advocated Europe as its center of origin. Brown sarson is the oldest

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form of B. rapa from which yellow sarson (mutant for seed colour) and toria (selections for early materials) have been evolved. B. napus has recently evolved in the South-West Europe and Mediterranean region by repeated hybridization between B. rapa and B. oleracea. It contains both oilseed and swede types.

B. carinata has originated in East African plateau by hybridization between B. nigra and B. oleracea. It is widely cultivated in North-East Africa particularly in Ethiopia.

B. nigra called “Sarshap” (in Sanskrit) is cultivated as spice since 3000 BC. It is closely related to Sinapis arvensis. It is widely distributed in Europe, Africa, Asia minor, Afghanistan, India, Palestine and Syria.

Eruca sativa is native to South Europe and North Africa and is a recent introduction into India.

Geographic Distribution Rapeseed and mustard are grown in 53 countries of the world on 26.09 m ha area with a production of 46.84 m tonnes Of this rapeseed accounting for 25.21 m ha area and 46.12 m tonnes production is thus more important than mustard. The area and production of rapeseed (Table 1), mustard (Table 2) and rapeseed and mustard (Table 3).

Table1.Area, production and productivity of rapeseed in important countries (2004)

Country Area (m ha)

Production (m tonnes)

Productivity (kg/ha)

Asia 13.405 20.000 1492.5 Australia 1.351 1.496 1107.5 Bangladesh 0.279 0.211 756.3 Belarus 0.124 0.143 1153.2 Canada 4.937 7.728 1565.1 China 7.330 13.182 1798.4 Chechoslovakia 0.351 1.197 3411.7 Denmark 0.121 0.468 3843.2 Europe 5.075 16.125 3176.9 France 1.126 3.994 3546.8 Germany 1.283 5.276 4111.4 Hungry 0.104 0.290 2775.1 Lithuania 0.100 0.204 2034.8 Oceania 1.353 1.500 1108.6 Pakistan 0.386 0.401 1038.9 Poland 0.538 1.632 3033.9 Russian Fed. 0.231 0.275 1190.7 Ukraine 0.107 0.148 1387.7 United Kingdom 0.558 1.609 2883.5 USA 0.338 0.608 1797.5 USSR 0.675 0.951 1409.0 World 25.212 46.120 1829.5

Source: FAO Production Yaer Book, 2004

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Table 2.Area, production and productivity of mustard in important countries (2004)

Continent/Country Area

(m ha) Production (m tonnes)

Productivity (kg/ha)

Asia 0.286 0.195 679.8 Canada 0.304 0.305 1004.9 Europe 0.263 0.193 735.1 Myanmar 0.063 0.040 634.9 Nepal 0.186 0.132 711.5 Russian Federation

0.093 0.055 592.1

Ukraine 0.100 0.070 700.0 World 0.884 0.721 815.4

Source: FAO Production Yaer Book, 2004

Table 3. Area, production and productivity of rapeseed and mustard in important countries (2004)

Country Area

(m ha) Production (m tonnes)

Productivity (t/ha)

India 5.400 6.200 1.15 Australia 1.351 1.496 1.11 Canada 5.241 8.033 1.53 China 7.350 13.197 1.80 Czech Republic 0.301 0.978 3.25 Denmark 0.121 0.468 3.84 Ethiopia 0.028 0.031 1.08 France 1.127 3.996 3.55 Germany 1.286 5.280 4.11 Hungary 0.104 0.290 2.78 Lativia 0.054 0.103 1.91 Lithunia 0.101 0.205 2.20 Nepal 0.187 0.133 0.71 Pakistan 0.386 0.401 1.04 Poland 0.538 1.633 3.03 Romania 0.066 0.112 1.71 Russian Federation

0.325 0.331 1.02

Slovakia 0.095 0.266 2.78 Sweden 0.084 0.228 2.71 Ukraine 0.207 0.219 1.06 UK 0.558 1.609 2.88 USA 0.366 0.633 1.73 World 26.096 46.848 1.79

Source: FAO Production Yaer Book, 2004

In India, it is grown in 23 states and union territories. Of the total production (5.08 m tonnes) of the country, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana accounts for over 71%

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(Table 4). The area (7.04 mha) and production (6.66 mt) and productivity of rapeseed and mustard reached its peak in 1997-98 and 1996-97 respectively.

Table 4. Rapeseed and mustard production in major states of India in 2001-02 State Production

(m tonnes) Rajasthan 1.943 Uttar Pradesh 0.845 Haryana 0.796 West Bengal 0.337 Madhya Pradesh 0.459 Gujarat 0.292 Assam 0.137 Others 0.273

India

5.083

Source: Department of Agriculture and Co-operation, Ministry of Agriculture, GOI.

Classification There is a lot of confusion and misunderstanding about the nomenclature and kinds of rape and mustard that are raised in India. Singh (1958) tried to remove this confusion by giving the following nomenclature of Indian rape and mustard (Table 5).

Table 5. Classification of rapeseed and mustard grown in India Indian group

International commercial name

Common name

Local name Chromosome No.

Sarson Indian colza, colza rape

Turnip rape Yellow sarson 20

Turnip rape Brown sarson 20 Indian rape Yellow toria or

lahi 20 Toria Indian rape

Indian rape Black toria or lahi 20 Indian mustard Rai or raya or lahi 36 Rugosa Pahari rai 36

Rai Mustard

Black mustard Banarsi rai 16

Dhauli rai (B. hirta

White sarson Ujli sarson

Taramira Rock cress Duan, garden rock salad

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Botanical Description Rapeseed (Brassica campestris var. sarson and toria) It is a herbaceous annual plant. The plant is shorter in height (45-150 cm) than mustard (rai). The roots are more or less confined to surface layers with an extensive lateral spread. The stem is usually covered with a waxy deposit. In rape, leaves are borne sessile and are glabrous and hairy. Fruits are thicker than those of mustard (rai) and are laterally compressed, with a beak one-third to half their length. Seeds are either yellow or brown with

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a smooth seed coat. Rape is self-pollinated, but cross pollination also takes place to some extent.

Mustard (Brassica juncea) It is known as rai, raya or laha. The plants are tall (90-200 cm), erect and more branched. The plant bears normally long and tapering roots. The leaves are not dilated at the base and clasping as in the case of rape, but are stalked, broad and pinnatified. The fruits (pods) are selender and only 2.0-6.5 cm long strongly ascending or erect with short and stout beaks. The colour of seed is brown or dark brown. Seed coat is rough. Mustard is self-pollinated, but cross-pollination also takes place to some extent.

Yellow mustard seeds

Flowers of both the species have 4 sepals and 4 petals of deep yellow to pale yellow colour. Each flower has 6 stamens; 4 with long and 2 with short filaments. The pistil is compound, which is separated by a false septum, thus providing 2 chambers.

The main characteristics of three main types of rapeseed are given below:

Difference between yellow and brown sarson Character Yellow sarson Brown sarson

Lower most first 2 leaves

Lamina prominent up to base of the leaf

Lamina partially absent in basal half

Colour and texture of leaves Dark, glaucous, fleshy Pale, glaucous, thin

Branching Branches erect, ascending, straggling plants absent. The primary branches arise from 10-20o angle of shoot

Rather erect to spreading, straggling plants occasionally present. The primary branches arise at 23-43o L of shoot

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Character Yellow sarson Brown sarson

Corolla Diameter 14 x 15 to 17 x 16 mm. Average length of claw blade is 10.2 mm. Length of claw is 3.2 mm and width of petal is 5.1 mm. Petals narrow with spaces between adjacent ones

Diameter 15 x 16 to 20 x 19 mm. Average length of claw blade is 11.4 mm. Length of claw is 3.6 mm and the width of blade 7.1 mm. Petals broad, generally overlapping

Anthers All the 6 anthers introrse in the bud and in open flower

All the 6 anthers are introrse in the bud but in the open flower the anthers of 4 medium stamens are extrorse

Pods Thick and broad, never torulose Thin and narrow, sometimes torulose

Seeds Dingy white or yellow, non mucilaginous

Dark brown, brown or reddish brown and are mucilaginous

Fertility Self fertile Highly self fertile

Maturity One week later in flowering & maturity

At least a week earlier in flowering and maturity

Difference between brown sarson and toria Character Brown sarson Toria

Leaves and stems At least lower leaves and lower part of stem are more or less hairy, leaves thin

Leaves and stem glabrous, leaves somewhat fleshy

Seeds Dark coloured, mucilaginous Light coloured, non-mucilaginous

Maturity Flowers and matures at least a fortnight later than toria, if sown at the same time

Flowers and matures atleast a fortnight earlier than brown sarson when sown at the same time

Period of sowing It is sown in Oct.-Nov. and harvested in March-April as rabi crop

It is a late kharif season crop, sown in September and harvested in Decmeber

Cultivation and uses May be grown mixed mostly as rainfed. It is used as oilseed, fodder, vegetable oil and preferred for culinary purpose

Grown pure with irrigation for oil purpose; plants are not good for vegetable purpose and oil is used for ordinary purpose only

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Climatic requirements Rapeseed and mustard are crops of temperate climates, but these can also be cultivated at higher elevations in the tropics. Crop requires about 18-25oC temperature, low humidity, practically no rains specially at the time of flowering. The crop growth is optimum at <25oC, while it ceases at <3o and >35oC. Rainfall, high humidity and cloudy weather are not favourable for the crop during winter, as such conditions would invite aphids. However, under rainfed conditions, 1 or 2 pre-flowering rains help in boosting the grain yield. Excessive cold and frost are harmful to the crop. Toria is more liable to suffer from frost and cold. Therefore, it is usually sown earlier, and harvested before the onset of frost. Rapeseed and mustard are long day in photo-periodic response. They require an annual precipitation of 40-100 cm. These crops also do not tolerate waterlogging. Soils Generally these crops thrive best in medium or heavy loam soils, except taramira which is raised on lighter soils. Very light soils usually cause a severe moisture stress resulting in a poor crop growth. Rape is tolerant to salinity and can be grown as first crop in reclaimed lands. Soils with an electrical conductivity (EC) of >4 dS/m and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) > 15% are not suitable. Soils with pH <5.0 and >9.0 are not suitable for these crops. Soils having pH 6.0-7.5 is ideal for their proper growth and development.

Land preparation These crops require a fine, firm, moist seed-bed so that adequate moisture is assured for germinating seeds and young seedlings. To achieve this, field should be given one pre-sowing irrigation (palewa). The field should be given a deep ploughing soon after the kharif crop in the middle of September. Thereafter, it may be ploughed 3-4 times with country plough followed by planking after each ploughing. Weeds and stubbles should be removed from the field.

Seeds and Sowing Maintenance of optimum plant population is essential for getting good harvests. The seed rate depending on type of crop varies from 4-10 kg/ha. Seed rate and spacing recommended for different states are presented in Table 6.

Table 6. Seed rate (kg/ha) and spacing (cm) recommended for rapeseed, mustard and taramira in different states

Mustard Toria Brown sarson Yellow sarson Taramira State

Seed rate

Spacing Seed rate

Spacing Seed rate

Spacing Seed rate

Spacing Seed rate

Spacing

Assam 10.0-15.0

West Bengal

6.0* 30x10 6.0* 30x10 6.0-7.5

30x10 6.0-7.5

30x10 45x10

Orissa 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0

Bihar 5.0-6.0

30x22 5.0-6.0

30x22 5.0-6.0

30x10 5.0-6.0

30x10 5.0-6.0

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Mustard Toria Brown sarson Yellow sarson Taramira State

Seed rate

Spacing Seed rate

Spacing Seed rate

Spacing Seed rate

Spacing Seed rate

Spacing

Uttar Pradesh

5.0-6.0

45x15 4.0 30x10-15

5.0 5.0

Madhya Pradesh

5.0-6.0

45x15 4.0 30x10

Gujarat 3.0 45x15 3.5 45x15

Rajasthan 4.0-5.0

30x10 4.0-5.0

30x10 4.0-5.0

30x10 4.0-5.0

30x10 5.0 30x10-15

Delhi 4.0-5.0

45x15 5.0 30x10 5.0 30x10 5.0 30x10 5.0 30x10

Haryana 5.0 30x10-15

5.0 30x10 5.0 30x10 5.0 30x10 5.0 30x10

Punjab 3.5-4.0

30-45 x 10-15

3.5-4.0

30x10-15

3.5-4.0

30x10-15

3.5-4.0

30x10-15

4.5 30x10-15

Jammu & Kashmir

10.0

Tripura 6.0 20x10

*7.5 kg for broadcast sowing

Seed Treatment: Before sowing seed should be treated with thiram or captan @ 2.5 g/kg of seed. An integrated disease management strategy for white-rust affected areas to control leaf and stag head phases of the rust includes seed treatment with apron 355D at 6 g/kg of seed.

Time of Sowing The sowing is done when the maximum temperature is around 30oC. If the temperature is high, sowing could be delayed. The optimum time of sowing in different states is given in Table 7. Table 7. Optimum time of sowing of rapeseed, mustard and taramira in different states State Mustard Toria Brown

sarson Yellow sarson Taramira

North-Eastern Hills Region

Mid Oct. to Nov.

Mid Oct.- Nov. Mid Oct. to Nov.

Assam Mid. Oct.- mid Nov. West Bengal Mid Oct. to

early Nov. End of Sep. to early Oct.

Mid Oct. to early Nov.

North Bengal End of Oct. -end of Nov.

Mid-Oct. to early Nov.

Last week of Oct.- last week of Nov.

Orissa End of Sep. to mid End of Sep. to

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State Mustard Toria Brown sarson

Yellow sarson Taramira

Nov. mid Nov. Bihar Second-third

week of Oct. 25 Sep. to 10 Oct. First fortnight of

Oct.

Uttar Pradesh First fortnight of Oct.

Early to mid-Sep.

Madhya Pradesh

Early Oct. Early Sept.- third week of Sep.

Gujarat Second week of Oct.

Second week of Oct.

Rajasthan Mid Sep. to early Oct.

End of Aug. to early Sep.

Mid Sep. Mid Sep. Nov./Dec.

Delhi Second-third week of Oct.

Early Sep. to third week of Sep.

End of Sep.- mid Oct.

First fortnight of Oct.

Early Nov.

Haryana Mid-Oct. End of Aug. to mid. Sep.

End of Sep.- early Oct.

End of Sep. to early Oct.

Nov.

Punjab Second fortnight of Oct. to Nov.

First fortnight of Sep.

End of Sep.- early Oct.

End of Sep. to early Oct.

Oct.

Himachal Pradesh

First fortnight of Oct.

Before 20 Sep. Last week of Sep.

Jammu & Kashmir

Mid Sep. - mid Oct.

Sowing Practices Under dryland conditions, seed should be sown in furrows with ridge seeder for maintaining a perfect crop stand and better conservation of moisture. While sowing, care should be taken that the seed does not come in contact with drilled fertilizer as it affects germination. The seed should be sown 4-5 cm deep, whereas fertilizer should be drilled at 7-10 cm depth. To ensure good germination and early seedling vigour, seed must be soaked in water before sowing. This is best done by covering the seeds with a moist gunny bag or directly with damp earth overnight.

Thinning Crop should be thinned 15-20 days after sowing to maintain plant-to-plant distance of 10-15 cm.

Varieties

The important varieties recommended for different states are given below.

Varieties of rapeseed recommended for different states State Varieties Assam TS-29, TS-36, TS-38, M-27 Orissa M-27 Punjab ITSA, JMT-689, TH-68, TL-15 Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan T9, T-36 Haryana Sangam Bihar BR-23 Himachal Pradesh DK-1

* Latest varieties: Parbati [ORT (m) 2-4]; Anuradha [ORT (m) 6-2]

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Varieties of taramira recommended for different states

State Variety All India Karan Tara (RTM-314) Punjab ITSA Haryana T-27 Madhya Pradesh Jawahar Toria 1 Uttar Pradesh T-42

Gobhi sarson varieties recommended for different states

State Variety

Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana

GSL-2, Hyola 04-1, PGSH-51, Suman (TH-63), Kiran (PBC 9221), Tara-52 (TMH-52), Neelam

West Bengal YSB-19-7-C

Himachal Pradesh Sheetal (HPN-1)

Yellow sarson varieties recommended for different states

State Variety

Uttar Pradesh T-151, Narendra Sarson-2 (NDYS-2), K-8

West Bengal, North East Bency-B9, Indira (PYS-6), Subinoy (YSB-19-7-C)

Bihar Jhumka (YBNC-1), 66-1973, Rajendra sarson-1

Orissa Jhumka, Subinoy

Gujarat Gujarat sarson, Patna sarson-66, YsPb 24

Latest variety: Ragini (MYSL-203)

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Brwon sarson varieties recommended for different states

State Variety

Uttar Pradesh BS-2, BS-70, Pusa Kalyani (PN-15-5/19)

Jammu & Kashmir Gulechin (KOD-100), KOS-1, KBS-3

Himachal Pradesh KBS-1, KBS-3

Gujarat GS-1

West Bengal B-65

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Mustard varieties recommended for different states

State Varieties

Uttar Pradesh Jagannath (VSL-5), Urvashi (RK-9501), Vardhan (RK-1467), Vaibhav (RK-1418), Shekhar, Rohini (KRV-24), RL-1359, PT-30, Narendra Ageti Rai-4, NDR-8501, Latha-101, Kranti (PR-15), Krishna (PR-18), PT-303, Basanti (RK-8501), Bhawani, Karishma (PR 8988), Kiran (PBC-922), CS-52 (DIRA-343), Maya (RK-9902), Swarn Jyoti (RH-9801), Vasundhara (RH-9304), Kranti (RK 9807)

Rajasthan Jagannath, Saulabh, Aravali (RN-393), Pusa Jai Kisan (BIO-902), Rajat (PCR-7), Krishna, Durgamani, Kiran, CS-52, Maya, Geeta [RB-9901 (RB-24)], RGN-13

Punjab TLC-1, RLM-619, RLM-514, RL-18, RL-1359, Saulabh (RH-8113), Pusa Agrani, PBR-91, PBR-97, Krishna, Kranti, PT-303, Aravali, Karishma, Kiran, Geeta, Hyola PAC-401, RCC-4

Haryana TH-65, TH-68, TL-15, RL-1359, RH-819*, Saulabh, Laxmi (RH-8812), RH-781, RH-10, Pusa Agrani, Prakash, Rajat, Krishna, Kranti, PT-303, Aravali, Karishma, Kiran, CS-52, Geeta, Swaran Jyoti, Vasundhara

Delhi Agrani (SEJ-2), Saulabh, Pusa Bold (PR-45), Pusa Agrani, Kranti, Kiran, Geeta

Madhya

Pradesh

Vardhan, Rohini, NDT-8501, Krishna, Jawahar-1 (JMWR-93-39), Maya, Swaran Jyoti, Vasundhara, Jawahar mustard, Jhumba

Assam TM-4*, TM-2*, PT-303, B-54, Pusa Bahar

Bihar RAUTS-17, Pusa Bold, Krishna, Kranti, BR-40, Pusa Basant (DIRA-367), Pusa Bahar (DIR-247), Maya

West Bengal Seeta, Sarma, RW-4C-6-3-11, Pusa Bold, Panchali (TWC-3), Kranti, PT-303, B-54, Bhagirathi (RW-315), Pusa Basant, Pusa Bahar

Andhra Pradesh Surya (RBL-428)

Maharashtra Pusa Jai Kisan, PR-15, Rajat

Gujarat RSK-10 (GM-1), Saulabh, Pusa Jai Kisan, Patan-67, Rajat Gujarat mustard, Gujarat mustard-2

Orissa Pusa Bold, Krishna, Kranti, PT-303, Bhagirathi, Pusa Basant, Pusa Bahar

Jammu & Kashmir

Pusa Swarmin (IGC-01)

Himachal Pradesh

Rohini, Saulabh, PT-303, Pusa Swarmin

All India Varuna, RLM-198

* Rainfed

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Manures and Fertilizers Rapeseed and mustard respond well both to organic and inorganic manures. If available, apply 15-20 tonnes/ha of FYM or compost at the time of field preparation.

These crops are very sensitive to nitrogen nutrition. Nitrogenous fertilizer in the form of ammonium sulphate is beneficial for the crop. Effect of N fertilizer can be optimized by combining soil and foliar application. Half of the recommended dose must be applied (preferably drilled) at the time of sowing. The remaining half must be applied in the form of foliar spray (1.5-2.0% high volume or 10-15% low volume micronet-35 sprayer). The first spray should be given at the time of flower initiation. The dose of 40 kg N/ha as soil application and 20 kg N/ha as foliar spray proves as good as 80 kg N/ha applied to soil. This method saves 25% of the N fertilizer without affecting the yield.

Rainfed yellow sarson with 30 kg N/ha fertilization only, in Punjab and Delhi. Under irrigated conditions of Gujarat, it is fertilized with 50:50 kg/ha P2O5-K2O. The optimum fertilizer doses recommended for rainfed and irrigated conditions are given in Table. 6.

Table Recommended fertilizer doses (kg/ha) for different states

State Rainfed/ Irrigated

Mustard Toria Brown sarson

N P K N` P K N P K North-eastern Hilly region

Rainfed 50 30 30 50 30 30

Assam Rainfed 40 35 15 West Bengal Irrigated 80-120 40 40

Rainfed 40 20 20 40 20 20 North Bengal Irrigated 60 40 40 Rainfed 40 20 20 40 20 20 Orissa Irrigated 60 30 30 Rainfed 30 15 15 30 15 15 Bihar Irrigated 80 40 40 60 40 40 60 40 40 Rainfed 40 20 20 30 20 20 30 20 20 Uttar Pradesh Irrigated 120 40 40 90 30 20 50 30 30 Rainfed 60 20 20 40 20 30 20 20 Madhya

Pradesh Irrigated 60 30 20 60 30 20 Rainfed 30 20 10 40 20 10 Gujarat Irrigated 50 50

Rajasthan Irrigated 60 40 40 20 60 40 Rainfed 30 20 20 10 30 20 Delhi Irrigated 60 40 40 Rainfed 40 20 40 20 20 Punjab Irrigated 100 50 60 20 60 20 Rainfed 40 20 40 40 Himachal

Pradesh Irrigated 60 40 40 60 40 40 60 40 40 Jammu & Kashmir

Rainfed 30 20 20 30 20 20 30 20 20

Crop should be supplied with 20 kg sulphur and 1 kg boron/ha as basal dose, wherever the deficiency of these nutrients is noticed. The maximum seed yield of mustard in tarai region

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was obtained with the recommended NPK + 5 tonnes of FYM (in seed furrows) + 40 kg S + 25 kg ZnSO4 + 1 kg boron/ha + Azotobacter (seed treatment).

Water management Mustard requires about 30-40 cm of water and the consumptive use of water varies from 200-300 mm. In general, mustard crop requires 2 irrigations, first at branching stage (30 DAS) and the second at pod formation stage (60-65 DAS).

In Gujarat, however, 6 irrigations have given better monetary returns. These should be given on 1, 5, 33, 50, 63 and 79 days after sowing. The requirement is 400 mm of irrigation water. The first 2 irrigations should be light and the remaining with 75 mm water each. This helps the plants to branch well, which in turn results in profuse flowering and fruiting. The best time for first irrigation is 25 days when flowering has sufficiently advanced. The second irrigation should be given at fruiting stage, i.e. 55 days of toria and 60 days in mustard. In toria and yellow sarson, one irrigation at pre-flowering stage is sufficient for optimum crop performance.

Weed control The most common weeds of rape and mustard crop are Chenopodium album (bathua), Lathyrus spp. (chatrimatri), Melilotus indica (senji), Cirsium arvense (kateli), Cyperus rotundus (motha) and Fumaria parviflora (gajri). The invasion of Orobanche (broom rape) has devastating effect on its cultivation in Rajasthan. Initial 45-60 days after sowing is critical period of crop weed competition. Uncontrolled weeds in these crops may cause 20-70% reduction in yield. Weeding should be done soon after thinning. This, besides creating soil mulch and reducing moisture losses, helps in better growth and proper development of crop plants. Under rainfed conditions, one hand weeding 25 DAS, while under irrigated conditions, 2 hand weedings 25 and 40 DAS are necessary for effective weed control. Pre-plant incorporation of fluchloralin @ 1.00 kg/ha or pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 1.00 kg/ha are quite effective in controlling weeds. If the weeds emerge after planting, isoproturon @ 0.75 kg/ha may be sprayed 30 days after sowing. Application of nitrofen @ 1.0 to 1.5 kg/ha in 800-1000 liters of water as pre-emergence spray is also found effective to control the weeds.

Cropping Systems Rape and mustard are raised in rotation with other crops like maize, pearlmillet, cotton, pulses etc. Brown sarson and mustard (rai) are usually cultivated as pure crops in rainfed areas. In these areas, no other crop is sown during rainy season, and moisture is conserved by ploughing.

Table 8. Cropping sequences in major rapeseed mustard cultivated states

State Rainfed Irrigated

Assam Rice-toria-jute Jute/summer rice-toria Rice-toria-greengram Rice-toria-green manure

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State Rainfed Irrigated

West Bengal Jute-toria/mustard-spring greengram Maize-toria/mustard Upland rice/jute-mustard/yellow sarson Cowpea-mustard (fodder) Maize (fodder)-sorghum/ cowpea – yellow sarson/mustard

Rice-toria-summer rice Rice-mustard/jute-yellow sarson Rice-mustard-rice Aman rice-toria-boro rice Rice-mustard/yellow sarson-jute

Maize/pearlmillet/greengram/sesame-mustard/yellow sarson

Greengram/blackgram-toria-wheat

Uttar Pradesh (UP) Early rice-toria/mustard Cowpea (fodder)-toria-mustard/

yellow sarson-spring greengram Maize-toria-wheat-greengram Maize-mustard/yellow sarson-greengram Upland rice-toria-spring greengram

Central UP Maize/sesame-mustard/yellow sarson

Blackgram/greengram-toria-wheat

Western UP Fallow-toria/mustard Maize-mustard-greengram/ Fodder-mustard Blackgram-mustard Maize-toria/mustard Upland rice-toria-sugarcane

Diara lands Wheat-mustard-cheena (Panicum miliaceum) Gram + mustard/toria – cheena/ summer mungbean/ vegetable

Fallow-toria-wheat/summer moong-field pea

Madhya Pradesh

Fallow-toria/mustard

Fallow-toria-gram Pearlmillet/groundnut/sesame-mustard Greengram/blackgram-mustard

Gujarat Fallow-mustard

groundnut/sesame-wheat+mustard Maize/greengram/pearlmillet/ cowpea - mustard

Rajasthan Fallow-toria/mustard Pearlmillet/cowpea-mustard

Toria-wheat Maize-toria-wheat Groundnut-mustard Fallow-toria-wheat

Haryana Pearlmillet-mustard Fallow-mustard/brown sarson

Early fodder-mustard

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Intercropping Mustard+chickpea: Under rainfed conditions, chickpea intercropped-with mustard in row ratio of 4:1 in the central and western Uttar Pradesh, 3:1 in tarai region of Uttarakhand and Rajasthan and 2:1 in Haryana proves remunerative.

Mustard+potato: Potato intercropped with mustard is more remunerative than potato alone. The states where potato and mustard crops are grown simultaneously can follow this practice.

Three ridges are planted with potato, and then on every fourth ridge mustard is sown. However, the seed rate of potato (both number and quantity) is kept similar to that of pure crop. Mustard crop should receive the first irrigation after earthing of potato. The subsequent irrigations to potato should be given after closing furrows on both sides of the ridges on which mustard is planted.

Toria/mustard+autumn planted sugarcane: Autumn planted sugarcane may be intercropped with toria/mustard. The production practices are similar to that of pure crop of sugarcane, except that 1 row of toria/mustard is planted between 2 rows (60-70 cm apart) of sugarcane.

Mustard+wheat: Line sowing of wheat and mustard in 6:1 and 8:1 row ratio gives higher net returns over the traditional farmers practice of broadcast mustard in wheat.

Toria being a catch crop, maturing in 90-100 days, can easily be adjusted in the following crop rotations.

Maize-toria-barley Maize-toria-cotton Maize-toria-sugarcane Maize-toria-wheat Maize-toria-sugarcane-ratoon

In areas with irrigation facilities, the following crop rotations may be adopted.

Maize-sarson or rai Clusterbean (green manure)-sarson or rai Early paddy-sarson or rai Greengram-brown or yellow sarson or rai

Harvesting and threshing Usually rapeseed-mustard crops are harvested as soon as the pods turn yellowish and moisture content of the seed is around 40%. The crop should be harvested preferably in the morning hours, when the pods are slightly damp with night dew to minimize the shattering losses.

Bundles of the harvested plants are staked and dried in the sun for a few days. Threshing is done by the usual method of threshing by bullocks or running a tractor over the dried plants. Seeds are separated by winnowing. Moisture content of the seed must be less than 8% at the storage time.

Yield Under normal conditions, rapeseed yields about 1.4-2.0 tonnes/ha of seed, while mustard may give 2.0-2.5 tonnes/ha.

Average yield in various conditions Mixed crop - 2-3 q/ha Pure crop - 10-15 q/ha Toria - 12-15 q/ha Yellow or brown sarson - 12-15 q/ha Rai - 15-20 q/ha

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Oil % in rapeseed and mustard seed Yellow or brown sarson - 43-48% Toria - 42-44% Rai - 38-40%

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