Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

EFFECT OF FERTILITY LEVELS AND COW URINE APPLICATION AS BASAL AND FOLIAR SPRAY ON GROWTH AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE OF INDIAN MUSTARD [BRASSICA JUNCEA (L.) CZERNJ. & COSSON]

Swati Swayamprabha Pradhan, J.S. Bohra, Surajyoti Pradhan and Sudhanshu Verma

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) season at the IFS block of Agricultural Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Institute of Agricultural Sciences of 2014-15 to study the effect of fertility levels and cow urine application as basal and foliar spray on growth, yield, and quality of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson]. The plant height, total dry matter accumulation, no primary and secondary branches, seed and stover yields were recorded significantly higher with 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), i.e.100:50:50:40, On an average, seed yield of mustard increased by 13.1% over 75 % RDF. Increasing levels of urine application up to 1200 l ha-1 and foliar spray up to 50% enhanced seed yield and nutrient uptake. The highest values of N, P, K content and its uptake were recorded with combined application of 100% RDF with 1200 l ha-1cow urine as basal and foliar application of 50% urine.