Productivity and profitability of Indian mustard under different organic nutrient management practices in Semi-arid region

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of the different organic nutrient sources on productivity
and profitability of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.]. Eight treatments having three
organic sources viz., farmyard manure, vermicompost and poultry manure with or without biodynamic manure
500 and 501 was laid out in a randomized block design replicated thrice. The organic source comprising
combined application of poultry manure @ 1.7 t/ha along with biodynamic manure 500 + BD 501 produced
significantly higher seed yield (1966 kg ha-1) and stover yield (5169 kg ha-1) to the tune of 78.7 and 52.4 per
cent higher over control, respectively. Growth and yield attributes viz., plant height (161.5 cm), number of
branches per plant (5.2), length of siliqua (6.0 cm), number of siliqua per plant (235.6), number of seeds per
siliqua (15.4) and test weight (5.1 gm) of mustard were significantly higher with poultry manure @ 1.7 t/ha +
BD 500 + BD 501 over the no manure application and superior over rest organic treatments. Application of
poultry manure @ 1.7 t/ha + BD 500 + BD 501 gave highest net return (Rs. 51204 ha-1) and B: C ratio (2.9).