Effect of different environmental conditions on growth and production of mustard (brassica juncea) in semi-arid zone of Rajasthan

Light intensity, temperature, relative humidity, soil moisture content and various other local environmental factors directly influence crop growth and subsequently the production of crops. Light intensity directly manipulates the water content of plants, temperature and soil moisture content as well. Local environmental temperature controls germination rate at one side and play crucial role in pod formation and yield of crop on other side. An experiment was carried out to investigate the alterations in local environmental factors and its impact on growth and productivity of Mustard crop (Brassica juncea) grown under low light intensities at research farm of Bhagwant University, Ajmer (Rajasthan) during rabi (winter) seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19. The observations reveal that the low light intensity directly reduced the temperature inside the shade net house. The relative humidity increased under low light environment. Soil moisture content was higher inside the low light intensity as compared with open area. The germination was faster in low light environment. Plant height, Leaf area and other growth traits was improved under low light intensity as compared to 100% light intensity of open area. Chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b were also altered under low light environment, which clearly exposed the effect of various local environmental factors at leaf level. Marginal impacts on seed yield and pod size were observed under low light conditions. This study may help to understand and select suitable environmental conditions under semi-arid zone of India.