Response of Chandrasur (Lepidium sativum L.) to FYM, nitrogen levels and nitrogen scheduling under southern Rajasthan conditions.

A field experiment was undertaken at Udaipur (Rajasthan) to study the effect of FYM, nitrogen level and its scheduling of application on Chandrasur (Lepidium sativum L.) during two consecutive rabi seasons of 2010-11 and 2011-12. Two FYM levels (5 and 10 t FYM/ha), three nitrogen levels (20, 40 and 60 kg N/ha) and three applications of scheduling [½ at sowing+½ at 25 DAS (at 1st irrigation), ½ at sowing+¼ at 25 DAS+¼ at 45 DAS (at 2nd irrigation) and 1/3 each at sowing, 25 DAS and at 45 DAS] were compared in a factorial randomized block design. Results showed that application of 10 t FYM/ha provided significantly higher plant height at harvest, dry matter accumulation at 40, 60 and 80 DAS, CGR at 40-60 DAS, branches/plant, 1000-seed weight, seed, straw and biological yields, and net returns over that 5 t FYM/ha. Application of 10 t FYM/ha recorded 10.11, 6.85, 7.54 and 7.64% higher seed, straw, biological yield and net monetary returns than 5 t FYM/ha. Application of 60 kg N/ha recorded significantly higher plant height at harvest, dry matter accumulation at 40, 60 and 80 DAS, branches/plant, 1000-seed weight, seed straw, biological yield, harvest index and net returns over 20 kg N/ha. On pooled basis, magnitude of increase was 33.79, 13.61, 17.52, 46.91 and 44.04% higher in seed, straw, biological yields, net returns and B/C ratio over 20 kg N/ha. Among the N scheduling, 1/3 level of N each at sowing, 25 DAS and 45 DAS recorded significantly highest of these parameters over ½ at sowing+½ at 25 DAS and registering 32.04, 11.28 and 15.37% higher seed, straw and biological yield over two equal splittings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]