Seed Yield and Yield Contributing Characters as Influenced by N Supply in Rapeseed-mustard

Brasisca Juncea , cv. Pusa Bold, and B. campestris , cv. Pusa Kalyani, were raised under field conditions with varying levels of N supply from 0–120 kg ha^-1. The production profile of branches and pods thereon was measured, per unit area basis, throughout the crop ontogeny. At maturity, data on the yield contributing characters, viz. pod dry weight, pod number, seed number per pod, 1000 seed weight, seed wall ratio and seed yield in different order branches, was recorded.
The branching pattern and the number of pods produced on different order branches, in the two species, was favourably modified by the increasing levels of N supply. Primary and secondary branches contributed to the seed yield to an extent of 80 % of the total yield. Nitrogen treatment had no significant effect on 1000 seed weight. B. juncea exhibited significantly higher yield over B. campestris. N supply up to 120 kg ha ^-1 linearly increased seed yield in both the species. However, it exerted a negative effect too partitioning of assimilates from pod wall to seed. The study indicated that rapeseed-mustard, grown under short winter-season environment with adequate soil moisture, has the potential for higher N-fertilizer optima exceeding 120 kg ha ^-1.