| Abstract: | Oilseed production can be affected in arid and semi-arid regions that are exposed to water shortages. Nevertheless, cultivation of drought-resistant crops such as Indian mustard is a suitable way to gain acceptable yields. Effects of different levels of irrigation and sulfur (S) fertilizer on the quantity and quality parameters of mustard (Brassica juncea) were assessed in a trial at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, during 2007–2008 and 2008–2009 growing seasons. The experiment was carried out in a split plot as randomized complete block design with three replications. The experiment treatments consisted of three irrigation levels [no irrigation, one irrigation at 45 days after sowing (DAS), and two irrigations at 45 DAS and 90 DAS] in main plots and four sulfur levels (S; 0, 15, 30, and 45 kg S ha?1) in subplots. The results showed that in the two successive years of the experiment, the number of siliquae/plant, length of siliqua, number of seeds/siliqua, and 1000-seed weight increased significantly with increasing the level of irrigation, which resulted in greater seed yield than no irrigation. Also, mustard plants irrigated two times showed the greatest values of nitrogen (N), protein, and oil content of the seeds over no irrigation in both years of this study. The oil yield and S content in the seed of mustard increased significantly with increasing the level of irrigation in both years. Number of siliquae/plant, siliqua length, number of seed/siliqua, and 1000-seed weight increased significantly with increasing the rates of S up to 45 kg S ha?1 in both years of experimentation; however, in 2008–2009 the difference between application of 30 and 45 kg ha?1 S was not statically significant. Also, the seed yield, N, protein, oil, and S contents in seeds of mustard increased significantly with increase in the level of applied S in both years. |
