Assessing the effect of salinity on the oil quality parameters of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss) using Fourier Transform Near-Infrared Reflectance (FT-NIR) spectroscopy

Abstract

Calibration models were developed for Fourier Transform Near Infrared Reflectance spectroscopy using PLS method and coefficients of determination (r2) for oil, protein, erucic acid and crude fiber contents were estimated 0.907, 0.922, 0.902, 0.903, respectively. Effects of the salinity on these traits were studied under normal and saline environments in the field (ECe 10.7dS·m-1) and nethouse using saline irrigation levels (ECiw 0, 9, 12, 15, 18 dS/m) during 2011–12 and 2012–13. At higher salinity; oil, protein and crude fiber contents decreased by 7.27, 14.78, 34.25% and 5.78, 29.31, 20.45% in nethouse and field conditions respectively, whereas erucic acid content increased by 72.43 and 12.20%. Thus, FT-NIRS may be useful for quick and nondestructive estimations of oil quality parameters in Indian mustard.