Performance of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) varieties under Azadirachta indica L. shade and open condition in hot-arid region of Rajasthan

Abstract

The mustard production and productivity of the hot arid region of Rajasthan is dominated by both genetic makeup and environmental conditions. An experiment was conducted with four mustard varieties (RGN-73, RGN-229, RH-30 and Pusa bold) in two growing environments (open environment and neem shade). Pusa bold gave significantly higher plant height than other varieties. Among varieties, RGN-73 had significantly higher number of branches per plant, dry matter accumulation per plant, siliquae per plant, seed yield, stover yield, biological yield, harvest index and heat use efficiency than other varieties. However, significantly higher test weight was in Pusa bold variety. Under open environment condition, significantly higher growth, yield attributes, yield, harvest index and heat use efficiency were found as compared to neem shade environment. The results revealed that variety RGN-229 took more days for completion of life cycle as compared to other varieties, hence RGN-229 variety required significantly more degree days than other varieties. The pheno-thermal index was significantly higher in open condition.

Keywords

• Phenological stages, growth, yield, growing degree days, heat use efficiency, pheno-thermal index