Water management
Mustard requires about 30-40 cm of water and the consumptive use of water varies from 200-300 mm. In general, mustard crop requires 2 irrigations, first at branching stage (30 DAS) and the second at pod formation stage (60-65 DAS).
In Gujarat, however, 6 irrigations have given better monetary returns. These should be given on 1, 5, 33, 50, 63 and 79 days after sowing. The requirement is 400 mm of irrigation water. The first 2 irrigations should be light and the remaining with 75 mm water each. This helps the plants to branch well, which in turn results in profuse flowering and fruiting. The best time for first irrigation is 25 days when flowering has sufficiently advanced. The second irrigation should be given at fruiting stage, i.e. 55 days of toria and 60 days in mustard. In toria and yellow sarson, one irrigation at pre-flowering stage is sufficient for optimum crop performance.
Weed control
The most common weeds of rape and mustard crop are Chenopodium album (bathua), Lathyrus spp. (chatrimatri), Melilotus indica (senji), Cirsium arvense (kateli), Cyperus rotundus (motha) and Fumaria parviflora (gajri). The invasion of Orobanche (broom rape) has devastating effect on its cultivation in Rajasthan. Initial 45-60 days after sowing is critical period of crop weed competition. Uncontrolled weeds in these crops may cause 20-70% reduction in yield. Weeding should be done soon after thinning. This, besides creating soil mulch and reducing moisture losses, helps in better growth and proper development of crop plants. Under rainfed conditions, one hand weeding 25 DAS, while under irrigated conditions, 2 hand weedings 25 and 40 DAS are necessary for effective weed control.
Pre-plant incorporation of fluchloralin @ 1.00 kg/ha or pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 1.00 kg/ha are quite effective in controlling weeds. If the weeds emerge after planting, isoproturon @ 0.75 kg/ha may be sprayed 30 days after sowing. Application of nitrofen @ 1.0 to 1.5 kg/ha in 800-1000 liters of water as pre-emergence spray is also found effective to control the weeds.
Mustard requires about 30-40 cm of water and the consumptive use of water varies from 200-300 mm. In general, mustard crop requires 2 irrigations, first at branching stage (30 DAS) and the second at pod formation stage (60-65 DAS).
In Gujarat, however, 6 irrigations have given better monetary returns. These should be given on 1, 5, 33, 50, 63 and 79 days after sowing. The requirement is 400 mm of irrigation water. The first 2 irrigations should be light and the remaining with 75 mm water each. This helps the plants to branch well, which in turn results in profuse flowering and fruiting. The best time for first irrigation is 25 days when flowering has sufficiently advanced. The second irrigation should be given at fruiting stage, i.e. 55 days of toria and 60 days in mustard. In toria and yellow sarson, one irrigation at pre-flowering stage is sufficient for optimum crop performance.
Weed control
The most common weeds of rape and mustard crop are Chenopodium album (bathua), Lathyrus spp. (chatrimatri), Melilotus indica (senji), Cirsium arvense (kateli), Cyperus rotundus (motha) and Fumaria parviflora (gajri). The invasion of Orobanche (broom rape) has devastating effect on its cultivation in Rajasthan. Initial 45-60 days after sowing is critical period of crop weed competition. Uncontrolled weeds in these crops may cause 20-70% reduction in yield. Weeding should be done soon after thinning. This, besides creating soil mulch and reducing moisture losses, helps in better growth and proper development of crop plants. Under rainfed conditions, one hand weeding 25 DAS, while under irrigated conditions, 2 hand weedings 25 and 40 DAS are necessary for effective weed control.
Pre-plant incorporation of fluchloralin @ 1.00 kg/ha or pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 1.00 kg/ha are quite effective in controlling weeds. If the weeds emerge after planting, isoproturon @ 0.75 kg/ha may be sprayed 30 days after sowing. Application of nitrofen @ 1.0 to 1.5 kg/ha in 800-1000 liters of water as pre-emergence spray is also found effective to control the weeds.