Productivity and profitability of Indian mustard under nutrient management and different sowing method in lateritic soil of West Bengal

Aim: This study was carried out to find the optimum fertilizer requirement and best planting method for higher productivity and profitability of Indian mustard. Methodology: A field trial was performed during the rabi season of 2019-20 on a sandy-loam soil at Agricultural Farm, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, Birbhum, West Bengal. The treatments comprised of three methods of sowing, i.e., transplantation, broadcasting, and line sowing in the main plot and four nutrient managements, i.e., 60:30:30, 70:35:35, 80:40:40, and 90:45:45 (N: P2O5:K2O kg ha-1) in a subplot and replicated thrice in a split-plot design. Growth economics parameters were evaluated. Results: Transplanting method with the nutrient management 90 kg N, 45 kg P2O5, and 45 kg K2O ha-1 was significantly superior in terms of growth attributes, yield parameters, productivity, and profitability over other methods of sowing and nutrient management in lateritic soil of West Bengal. The transplanted mustard crop produced higher yield because it got the longest reproductive period and required nutrient level, i.e., 90 kg N, 45 kg P2O5, and 45 kg K2O ha-1. Interpretation: Finding appropriate method of sowing under different nutrient levels can be done using growth, yield attributes, and yield. Yield and profitability were found maximum under 90 kg N, 45 kg P2O5, and 45 kg K2O ha-1 over other nutrient levels and transplanting method of sowing of Indian mustard was better than broadcasting, and line sowing method in the present experiment under the lateritic soil of West Bengal. Key words: Indian mustard, Laterite soil, Nutrient management