Effect of nitrogen and chlormequat chloride on the seed yield and oil content of mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss)

Abstract

The growth of mustard was increased significantly when treated with up to 80 kg N ha -'(N 80 ) . Spraying with (2-chloroethyl) trimethylammoniumchloride (chlormequat chloride) increased seed yield and seed protein content. Spraying nitrogen fertilized plots with chlormequat chloride, increased leaf area, leaf area ratio, leaf area duration, number of siliquae plant -', number of seeds siliqua -' and length of siliqua . Reducing, non-reducing and total sugars in the leaves at 80 days after sowing were also affected significantly . Chlorophyll 'a', 'b' and total chlorophyll were little affected . The number of siliquae plant -' was highly correlated with seed yield in both the seasons of experimentation . The correlation coefficient value (y) was 0 .586 in 1982/83 and 0 .912 in 1983/84 . The total accumulation of nutrients, i .e . nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in seed and straw was significantly affected by N80 x chlormequat chloride interaction .