Details of mustard cultivation practice

1. Mustard
Botanical Name:- Brassica juncea L
Family :- Cruciferae
Local name :- Rai, mohari
Origin: -North Africa
Economic Importance:
The oil content of the seeds of different forms ranges from 30-48%
The oil possesses a sizable amount of erucic acid (38-57%).
A lower proportion of erucic acid will make the oil more palatable,
nutritive .
The seed and oil are used a condiment in the preparation of
pickles.
The presence of toxic glucosinolates in the mustard cake render it
unsuitable as a source of human protein, it can cause Goiter.
Protein content in rapeseed and mustard seed normally ranges
between 24-30%.

2. The leaves of young plants are used as a green vegetable.
Oil is used in tanning industries for softening leather. Oil is used
preparation of hair oil, soap making .
Soil and Climate:-
Soil:-
The rapeseed and mustard thrives well in light to heavy loams.
Mostly grown on medium to heavy soils.
Very light soils are avoided.
This crop has good tolerance to saline and alkaline soils.
pH of soil is 6.0-7.5.S
Climate:-
Mustard is a rabi season crop that requires relatively cool
temperatures for satisfactory growth and dry period at harvest.
It needs about 18oC-25oC .
It is grown in medium to high rainfall areas.
Rainfall, high humidity and cloudy weather not good for this crop
during winter.

3. Preparation of Land:-
As the seeds of these crops are small.
a fine, firm and moist seedbed is required to ensure good germination
and emergence of seeds.
To get good tilth one to two ploughing, each followed by planking and
three to four harrowing is required.
Seeds and sowing:-
Sowing Time:- October to mid November
Method of sowing: The seeds are either sown byline sowing
broadcasting in the main crop or mixed with the main crop.
Spacing: 45x15cm .
Seed Rate: Pure crop- 5kg/ha
Mixed crop – 2 to 2.5 kg/ha
Depth of Sowing: (Shallow depth)2.5 to 3 cm.
Seed treatment:- Seed are treated with Bavistin @ 2 g/kg of seed
or dithane m-45 @ 3 g/kg of seed.

4. Varieties:-
Varuna, Sita, Pusa bold, T.M-4, T.M-2, Prakash, T.M – 21, TPM-1,
GM- 1 &2, Laxmi, Narendra rai, Agrni(SET-2).Durgamani, Bhagirathi.
Manures and Fertilizers :-FYM 15-20 tonnes /ha
RDF:- 40 N : 20 kg P2O5 : 50 kg N / ha.
Half of the quantity of N along with full P & K is applied at the
time of sowing.
Remaining half the quantity of N should be top dressed 30 - 35 days
after sowing.
Irrigation:-
Total water requirement of the mustard crop is 25-30 ha-cm. In
rainfed situations two protective irrigation, one at flowering and the
other at pod formation is yield benefial.

5. Harvesting and Yield
Mustard is ready to harvest in 110-160 days.
Mustard is harvested in March/April.
Harvesting is done as soon as the crop begins to turn yellow.
Care should be taken to ensure the harvesting of mustard before
the pods open, in order to avoid losses from shattering of seeds.
Harvesting is done in morning hours.
The crop is cut close to the ground with the help of sickle and it is
brought to threshing yard and allowed to dry.
The threshing is done with the help of sticks .
Yield:- Mustard (Rai)
Rainfed:- 8-10 q/ha
Irrigated:- 12-15 q/ha