Influence of dates of sowing and irrigation scheduling on growth and yield of mustard (Brassica juncea L)

A field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Research Farm, ND University of Agriculture & Technology, Faizabad, UP during the Rabi season of 2009–10 and 2010–11 to assess the influence of different dates of sowing and irrigation scheduling on growth and yield of mustard (Brassica juncea L). Results revealed that all the growth and yield attributes were increased significantly under 30 October sowing. Plant height (cm), leaf area index and dry matter accumulation (g plant⁻¹) and yield attributes like number of siliquae plant⁻¹, number of seeds siliqua⁻¹, length of siliqua (cm) and seed and stover yields of mustard crop were significantly higher with irrigation at 0.7 IW/CPE ratio. Interaction between dates of sowing and irrigation scheduling was found significant on yields of mustard. Highest seed yield (16.36 q ha⁻¹) was recorded with 0.7 IW/CPE ratio sown on 30October. Irrigation at 0.7 IW/CPE ratio under 30 October sowing proved most remunerative and economically feasible for mustard under the agroclimatic conditions of eastern UP.