Application of Sulphur and Foliar Zinc at Different Growth Stages to Boost the Quality and Yield of Gobhi Sarson (Brassica napus L.) under Central Plain Region of Punjab, India

Background: A key element for the growth of oilseed crops is sulphur. It is required for the synthesis of vitamins, oilsand proteins. Compared to the organic form, inorganic sulphur is less common in agricultural soils. Zinc contributes significantly to the regulatory cofactors of many enzymes and proteins in many biochemical processes, which can aid in the oilseed crop’s high production. By 2025, there will be a 63% increase in Zn deficiency, up from 42% in 1970. Methods: A field experiment was conducted for two years (2022-2023 and 2023–2024) at Agronomy Research Field, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India, which comprises four zinc application (Dose @ 1.5 ml L-1) treatments viz., Z0-Control, Z1-1 appl. (one spray @ 15 DAS), Z2-2 appl. (two spray @ 15+45 DAS) and Z3-3 appl. (three spray @ 15+45+75 DAS)and four sulphur application treatments viz., S0-Control, S1 (10 kg ha-1), S2 (20 kg ha-1) and S3 (30 kg ha-1). Result: The seed yield, stover yield, biological yield, harvest index, oil content and oil yield of gobhi sarson were studied. The application of zinc and sulphur had significant effect on seed yield, stover yield, biological yield, oil content and oil yield. The maximum seed yield (2752 kg ha-1), stover yield (6841 kg ha-1), biological yield (9593 kg ha-1), oil yield (1112.40 kg ha-1) recorded under Z3-3 appl. (three spray @ 15+45+75 DAS) + S3 (30 kg ha-1) in comparison to other treatments. Application of sulphur 30 kg ha-1 recorded highest oil content and oil yield (40.25%, 962.32 kg ha-1) in comparison to S2-20 kg ha-1 (40.09%, 921.25 kg ha-1), S1-10 kg ha-1 (38.18%, 802.17 kg ha-1), S0-Control (36.21%, 689.17 kg ha-1.