Effect of biofertilizers and nitrogen levels on growth, yield, oil content and economics of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) in north central plateau zone of Odisha

A field experiment was conducted at Regional Research and Technology Transfer Station, OUAT, Keonjhar under North Central Plateau Agro climatic Zone of Odisha during rabi 2020-21 and 2021-22 under irrigated condition. The soil of the experimental plot was sandy loam in texture with pH 6.9, organic carbon 4.72 g kg-1 soil and available N, P and K of 225, 18.4 and 140 kg ha-1, respectively. Inoculation of biofertilizers and application of different levels of nitrogen significantly influenced the growth, yield attributes, yield, oil content and economics of Indian mustard. The seed yield and net returns were highest (1317 kg ha-1 and Rs.12,312 ha-1, respectively) for Azotobacter + 80 kg N ha-1, which were at par with Azospirillum + 60 kg N ha-1 (1234 kg ha-1 and Rs.11,157 ha-1, respectively) and no biofertilizer with 80 kg N ha-1 (1223 kg ha-1 and Rs.10801 ha-1, respectively). The oil yield also followed similar trend as of yield. The result of the experiment suggests that seed inoculation of Azotobacter along with application of 80 kg N ha-1 can be recommended for Indian mustard in the irrigated tracts of northern Odisha. However, in order to reduce inorganic nitrogen use, it can also be advocated to use Azospirillum seed inoculation with 60 kg N ha-1.