Effect of foliar application of sulphur, zinc, and boron on productivity and profitability of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) cultivars

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi seasons of 2021-22 and 2022-23 at the Agricultural Research Farm of Raja Balwant Singh College, Bichpuri, Agra, to assess the effect of foliar application of sulphur, zinc, and boron on the productivity and quality of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) cultivars. The experiment was laid out in split plot Design consisting of three varieties, i.e., V₁ (PM-28), V₂ (PM-29) and V₃ (PDZ-31) as in main plot and eight nutrient management practices, i.e., F₁ - (RDF+100 kg N + 60 kg P₂O₅ + 40 kg K₂O ha^-1), F₂ - (RDF+Sulphur @ 2.0% at 30-35 DAS and 45-50 DAS), F₃ - (RDF + Zinc @ 0.5% at 30 - 35 DAS and 45-50 DAS), F₄ - (RDF+Boron @ 0.2% at 30 - 35 DAS and 45-50 DAS), F₅ - (RDF + Sulphur @ 2.0% and Zinc @ 0.5% at 30-35 DAS and 45-50 DAS), F₆ - (RDF + Sulphur @ 2.0% and Boron @ 0.2% at 30-35 DAS and 45-50 DAS), F₇ - (RDF+Zinc @ 0.5% and Boron @ 0.2% at 30-35 DAS and 45-50 DAS) and F₈ - (RDF+Sulphur @ 2% +Zinc @ 0.5%+ Boron @ 0.2% at 30-35 DAS and 45-50 DAS) in sub plot. Results indicated that the PM-28 cultivar outperformed PM-29 and PDZ-31 in yield parameters, including, seed yield, and biological yield. Among the nutrient treatments, RDF+Sulphur @ 2% +Zinc @ 0.5%+ Boron @ 0.2% at 30-35 DAS and 45-50 DAS recorded the highest seed yield (22.63 t ha^-1). In terms of economics, the PM-28 cultivar combined with the treatment RDF+Sulphur @ 2% +Zinc @ 0.5%+ Boron @ 0.2% at 30-35 DAS and 45-50 DAS achieved the highest gross returns (₹ 123332 ha^-1), net returns (₹ 87242 ha^-1), and benefit-cost ratio (3.08) across both years.