Effect of pre-sowing seed treatment on growth, yield, quality and nutrient uptake of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) under rainfed condition

A field experiment was conducted at Kalyani, West Bengal 2000-01 and 2001-02 with Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson] using 6 pre-sowing seed treatments, viz. water-soaking, 1% K2SO4, 1% KH2PO4, 0.25% Na2HPO4 and Dithane M-45 along with a control (no seed soaking) under rainfed situation, on sandy-loam alluvial soil of Gangetic West Bengal. The pre-sowing seed treatment with water and different chemicals resulted in an increase of seed yield by 14.18% to 34.05% over the control. The highest yield was observed under Dithane M-45, closely followed by 0.25% Na2HPO4 and 1% KH2PO4. The crops raised from treated seed accumulated more dry matter and had more siliquae/plant than the control, but differences were not significant in plant height, seeds/siliqua, test weight and oil content. Nutrient uptake by the crop increased owing to different pre-sowing seed treatment.