Mustard is a popular oilseed crop that is grown extensively in different parts of the world. It is a notorious crop due to its ability to adapt well to different climatic conditions, soil types, and can fit into almost any crop farming system.
For successful mustard cultivation, farmers must be familiar with the right sowing time and seed rate. In this article, we will discuss the best sowing time and seed rate of mustard that guarantees a high yield.
Sowing Time
The sowing time of mustard heavily relies on the region of cultivation and the climatic conditions. As a general guideline, the optimal sowing time of mustard is late September to October in the Northern or Central plains during the rainy season. However, farmers in the southern plains usually prefer sowing in November as the winter arrives late in these regions.
In areas where there is adequate rainfall and irrigation facilities, farmers can opt for a crop sequence of cotton-mustard-cotton, which usually means sowing mustard by the end of November.
Seed Rate
The seed rate of mustard is significant as it affects the crop yield and is dependent on the cultivar, type of soil, and sowing method used. Typically, the recommended seed rate of mustard is 6-7 kg per hectare for irrigated areas and 4-5 kg per hectare for rain-fed regions. However, in certain cases, the seed rate might vary as under:
– For Hyola-401 cultivars, the seed rate is 3-5 kg/ha
– For large-seeded cultivars, the recommended seed rate 6-7 kg/ha
– For small-seeded, the seed rate is increased to 10-12 kg/ha.
In conclusion, the optimal time and seed rate for mustard to obtain higher yields may help farmers to enhance their profits. By keeping the above-mentioned factors in mind, farmers can efficiently manage their cultivation practices, which can lead to better crop yields and overall profitability.