Impact of Hydrogel Application and Foliar Agrochemical sprays on growth and yield of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Abstract

Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.), a vital rabi oilseed crop in India, faces significant productivity constraints due to water stress and nutrient limitations, particularly in semi-arid regions like Rajasthan. This study was conducted during the Rabi 2024–25 season at the Agronomy Farm, Nirwan University, Jaipur, to evaluate the impact of hydrogel and foliar-applied agro-chemicals (thiourea, salicylic acid, and NPK 19:19:19) on the growth, physiological parameters, and yield of mustard. The experiment, laid out in a factorial randomized block design with 16 treatment combinations and three replications, revealed that hydrogel application at 7.5 kg/ha significantly improved plant height (194.0 cm), dry matter accumulation (257.5 g/m), branching, chlorophyll content (3.26 mg/g), and seed yield (1829 kg/ha) compared to control. Similarly, foliar spray of thiourea @ 500 ppm consistently enhanced growth and yield attributes, recording the highest CGR (8.3 g/m²/day), RGR (74.9 mg/g/day), and seed yield (1820 kg/ha), followed by salicylic acid and NPK treatments. The results underscore the efficacy of hydrogel and stress-alleviating foliar sprays in improving water-use efficiency, physiological resilience, and mustard productivity under water-limited conditions. The integration of these technologies presents a sustainable approach to address abiotic stress in oilseed production systems.