Effect of sowing date and moisture conservation practice on growth and yield of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) under scarce moisture condition.

A field experiment was conducted during two winter (rabi) seasons of 2001–02 and 2003–04 at Kanpur to study the impact of date of sowing (15 and 30 October) and moisture conservation practices (control, one weeding and hoeing, grass mulch and paddy straw mulch) on growth and yield of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L) Czernj. & Cosson] varieties (‘Vaibhav'and ‘Urvashi’) under scarce moisture condition. On the basis of growth, development, heat unit accumulation, seed yield, oil content and net monetary returns, Indian mustard variety ‘Vaibhav’ was superior to ‘Urvashi’ sown on 15 October supplemented with paddy straw mulch. It also utilized moisture efficiently under limited moisture condition in both the years. Among moisture conservation practices, paddy straw mulch @ 3 t ha−1 was most effective recording highest heat unit efficiency (0.96), seed yield (1.599 t ha−1), harvest index (24.0%) and net return (Rs 14800 ha−1).