Effect of row direction and cultivar on micrometeorological and biophysical parameters of oil seed Brassica

Abstract

In this study, the effect of different row directions, viz. North-South (N-S) and East-West (E-W) on micrometeorological and crop growth parameters of three Brassica cultivars (Pusa Vijay, Pusa Mustard- 21 and Pusa Bold) were studied in the experimental farm of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi during 2013-14 Rabi season. Intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR), leaf area index (LAI), above ground biomass and soil moisture were measured at weekly intervals. IPAR, fractional IPAR (fIPAR) and total IPAR (TIPAR) were higher in N-S direction than E-W. The leaf area index (LAI), above ground biomass, light extinction coefficient and seed yield were also higher in N-S direction. but harvest index was higher in E-W direction. Seed oil content was also significantly higher in the N-S direction. Water use efficiency (WUE) was significantly higher in E-W (5.73 kg ha-1mm-1) direction than in N-S direction (5.06 kg ha-1mm-1) while radiation use efficiency (RUE) was significantly higher in N-S direction (3.0 g MJ-1) than E-W (2.8 g MJ-1). Thus it may be recommended to sow mustard in N-S direction with assured irrigation to maximize yield, while E-W direction of sowing in case of limited irrigation to maximize WUE.