Influence of boron and zinc application on quality and nutrient uptake of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea)

Abstract:

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2019-20 at the College Farm, N. M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, on clayey and slightly alkaline soil to evaluate the “Response of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea) to Boron and Zinc Fertilization”. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications using the variety GDM-4 of Indian mustard. A total of nine treatment combinations were tested, comprising: T₁: RDF, T₂: RDF + 1 kg B/ha, T₃: RDF + 2 kg B/ha, T₄: RDF + 4 kg Zn/ha, T₅: RDF + 8 kg Zn/ha, T₆: RDF + 1 kg B + 4 kg Zn/ha, T₇: RDF + 2 kg B + 4 kg Zn/ha, T₈: RDF + 1 kg B + 8 kg Zn/ha, and T₉: RDF + 2 kg B + 8 kg Zn/ha. Application of boron and zinc significantly influenced seed quality and nutrient uptake in Indian mustard. Treatment T₉ (RDF + 2 kg B ha⁻¹ + 8 kg Zn ha⁻¹) recorded the highest protein (25.91%) and oil content (44.08%), followed by T₈, T₇, and T₆. Nitrogen content in seed was significantly higher under T₉, while P₂O₅ and K₂O contents remained non-significant. Maximum uptake of N, P₂O₅, and K₂O by seed (40.29, 14.82, and 19.88 kg ha⁻¹, respectively) as well as Zn and B uptake (47.39 and 38.19 mg ha⁻¹, respectively) was observed under T₉ and was at par with T₈, T₇, and T₆. Post-harvest soil available N, P₂O₅, and K₂O were not significantly affected by boron and zinc fertilization. The results of the study indicated that higher and more profitable yield of rabi Indian mustard can be achieved with the application of RDF + 2 kg B ha⁻¹ + 8 kg Zn ha⁻¹, which proved superior to both sole and other combined applications of boron and zinc. Combined application of zinc and boron also enhanced seed quality by significantly increasing protein and oil content.