Response of mustard to varying levels of irrigation and nitrogen

A field experiment was led during the Rabi season of 2024-25 at SAGE Instructional &Research form, School of Agriculture, SAGE University, Bhopal, M.P. to evaluate the effects of irrigation levels and nitrogen doses, with and without mulch, on Indian mustard (Brassica juncea). The study used a Factorial Randomized Block Design with 18 treatment combinations: three irrigation levels (0, 1, and 2 irrigations), three nitrogen levels (60, 90, and 120 kg/ha), and two mulching treatments. Results revealed that two irrigations at branching and flowering, combined with 120 kg N/ha and mulch, significantly enhanced plant growth, yield attributes, seed yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and net returns. Mulching improved soil moisture, reduced weed growth, and increased nutrient efficiency. The integrated application of irrigation, nitrogen, and mulch proved to be the most effective strategy under semi-arid conditions, promoting sustainable and profitable mustard production. The study recommends this integrated approach for maximizing productivity, with potential for broader adoption across varied agro climatic zones.