RESPONSE OF MUSTARD TO SEED TREATMENT WITH PYRIDIOXINE AND BASAL AND FOLIAR APPLICATION OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS

In a simple randomised field trial conducted during 1985-86/1986-87, t he effect of basal nitrogen (45 and 60 kg N/ha) and basal phosphorus ( 15 and 20 kg P/ha) applications together with the soaking of seeds in 0.025% aqueous pyridoxine hydrochloride solution for 4h and foliar app lications of 15 kg N/ha and 5 kg P/ha in two installments at 70 and 90 days after sowing (DAS) was studied on the performance of mustard (Br assica juncea L.). Recommended basal applications of 90 kg N/ha and 30 kg P/ha (BN90P30) was used as the control. The parameters studied inc luded leaf area index (LAI) at 60, 80, and 100 DAS, net assimilation r ate at 60-80 and 80-100 day intervals, and pods/plant, seeds/pod, seed yield, oil content, and oil yield at harvest. In general, the pyridox ine treatment proved superior over water soaking. The higher basal fer tilizer dose was effective and foliar application of N and P gave high er values as compared to the water foliar application alone. The combi nation of pyridoxine + BN60P20+ FN15FP5 significantly enhanced the per formance of the crop and enhanced seed yield and oil yield by 15.8 and 13.5%, respectively, over the check BN90P30 treatment.