Author(s): Ravi Bhooshan Singh, Bhupesh Kumar Mishra and Ashish Nath

Abstract: A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024-25 at the Organic Research Farm, Maharshi University of Information Technology, India, to evaluate the Influence of Sowing Dates and Cultivar Selection on Growth Dynamics and Yield Performance of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.). The experimental soil was well-drained, sandy loam in texture, slightly alkaline in reaction, low in organic carbon and available nitrogen, but medium in available phosphorus and potassium. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with three replications, comprising four sowing dates-15th October (S1), 30th October (S2), 15th November (S3), and 30th November (S4)-and three varieties-Varuna (V1), Krishna (V2), and Laxmi (V3). The results revealed that the sowing date of 15th November (S3) significantly enhanced growth parameters such as plant height, shoot fresh and dry weight, and the number of primary and secondary branches. Yield attributes including silique length, number of siliquae per plant, seeds per silique, and 1000-grain weight were also highest under this treatment and were statistically at par with 30th November (S4). Similarly, grain, stover, and biological yield, along with harvest index and total uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, were maximized under the 15th November sowing. Among the varieties, Varuna (V1) recorded the best performance in terms of plant height, shoot biomass, number of branches, and all major yield attributes. It also showed the highest grain yield and nutrient uptake, followed closely by Laxmi (V3). Based on the findings, sowing on 15th November (S3) combined with the Varuna variety (V1) proved to be the most effective strategy for maximizing yield and economic returns under the given agro-climatic conditions.

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