Impact of improved water management technology on productivity and sustainability of mustard under Chambal command

Abstract

On farm trials of mustard species, Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss. were conducted during five consecutive years 2005-06 to 2009-10 at farmer’s field of Kota and Bundi districts under operational research programme (ORP) operated by Agricultural Research Station, Kota to evaluate improved water management technology for enhancing the productivity and economics of mustard crop. Two treatments were evaluated at 18 locations and comprised of improved water management technology (i.e. two irrigations, first at full branching and second at siliqua development stages) by border strip (6 m 50 m) method using 80 % cut off ratio compared with farmer’s practice i.e. flood irrigation method. Results revealed that improved water management technology gave higher and sustainable yield of mustard over the years compared to farmers practice. The mean yield recorded (1993 kg/ha) which was 9.0% higher as compared to farmers practice (1833 kg/ha). Sustainability of mustard yield reflects the higher sustainability yield index (0.92) and sustainability value index (0.62). Improved water management technology possesses higher water expense efficiency (166.0 kg/ha-cm) and incremental benefit cost ratio (5.3) over farmers practice.