Economics of Hybrid Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) Cultivation Following Foliar Application of Micronutrients and Sulphur at Various Stages of Growth

Abstract

Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) is an important oilseed crop in India, particularly during the Rabi season, contributing significantly to the agricultural economy. However, its productivity is often limited by imbalanced nutrient management, especially in soils with low fertility such as sandy loam. An experiment was carried out for two consecutive years during the Rabi season of 2022-23 and 2023-24 at the Crop Research Farm of the Samhigginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Science, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh to evaluate the economic impact of foliar application of micronutrients and Sulphur at different concentrations on mustard (Pioneer hybrid 45S46). The study aimed to determine the most cost-effective nutrient management practices through analysis of gross return, net return, and benefit-cost ratio. The experiment consisted of 16 treatments with three replications in Randomized Block Design (RBD). Foliar application of micronutrients and Sulphur at various concentrations were carried out at 45 and 65 days after sowing (DAS) with the objective to assess their impact on overall economics of mustard (Pioneer hybrid 45S46) cultivation in sandy loam soil of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Crop economics was calculated on the basis of inputs incurred during 2022-23 and 2024 for agricultural operations, followed by gross return, net return and benefit-cost ratio (B:C). The two-year study concluded that gross return (Rs ha-1), net return (Rs ha-1) and benefit-cost ratio of different treatments were based on input output analysis. The data on gross return in different treatment varied significantly. The highest gross return was obtained in the treatment T11 (RDF + S 1.0%) during both years and pooled data (124112, 136255 and 130183Rs. ha-1, respectively) which was significantly higher than RDF. The data on net return revealed the highest net return (91937, 100180 and 96058 Rs. ha-1, respectively) was also obtained from the treatment T11: RDF + S 1.0% during both the years and pooled data. The benefit-cost ratio was significant among treatments. Maximum benefit-cost ratio was noted in treatment T11: S 1.0% during both the years and pooled data (2.86, 2.78 and 2.82) which was significantly higher than RDF.