Indian mustard (
Brassica juncea L.), an important oilseed crop of the Rabi season, belongs to the family Brassicaceae and is extensively cultivated in India, especially in Rajasthan. This study assesses the influence of different sulphur sources and levels on the growth, yield, and economic performance of mustard under the semi-humid agro-climatic conditions of Southern Rajasthan. The experiment comprised twenty treatment combinations using three sulphur sources—gypsum, pyrite, and elemental sulphur applied at four graded levels (30, 40, 50, and 60 kg S/ha), along with a control. The results revealed significant improvements in growth parameters such as plant height, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index, and chlorophyll content. Among the treatments, gypsum at 60 kg S/ha exhibited superiority with respect to plant height (220.0 cm at harvest stage), dry matter accumulation
(47.20 g/plant), leaf area index (1.72), chlorophyll content
(42.3 mg/g), and number of branches/plant (7). The observed differences among treatments are attributed to the enhanced sulphur availability and uptake, promoting better physiological activity. Due to mustard's role in oil production, soil health improvement, and its by-products' nutritional value, sulphur fertilization plays a key role in enhancing productivity and profitability.
This study highlights the importance of balanced sulphur management, promoting sustainable mustard cultivation with economic viability under regional farming conditions.
