Relationship of photosynthetically active radiation in a modified microenvironment with biophysical parameters of mustard

A field experiment was conducted to assess the radiation captured in a modified microenvironment and its relationship with biophysical parameters of Brassica genotypes. Change in sowing time and row orientation treatments were imposed on three mustard genotypes in order to create microenvironment modification. Among three dates of sowing, the highest photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was captured in 7^th October sowing followed by 17^th October and 27^th October sown mustard cultivars. Among mustard varieties, PBR 357 captured highest PAR due to highest leaf area index attained as compared to GSC 7 and PC 6 cultivars. However, the PAR penetration ratio was more in PC 6 followed by GSC 7 and PBR 357 in 27^th October sown crop. Various growth parameters viz. leaf area index and dry matter accumulation were significantly affected by different treatments and observed to be higher in 7^th October sown crop followed by 17^th October and 27^th October sown crop. The highest leaf area index was attained by PBR 357 followed by GSC 7 and PC 6 cultivars.