Collection: MUSTARD

Mustard is a crucially important crop across the globe. The mustard crop belongs to the Brassica family. The mustard crop is mainly grown for the tiny mustard seeds used for the oil. There are three common types of mustard seeds. These are white/yellow Mustard (Sinapis alba), brown Mustard (Brassica juncea), and Black Mustard (Brassica nigra). Mustard belongs to the Brassicaceae family. White Mustard is favored in Europe and America. On the other hand, brown And black mustard seeds are often used in Asian cuisine.

Mustard seeds are rich in nutrition. Mustard seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids, protein, fiber, And antioxidants. Mustard seeds also provide vital minerals like calcium, magnesium, Phosphorus, and Potassium. Mustard seeds contain medicinal properties. Mustard seeds assist in digestion and alleviate muscle pain. Mustard seeds are also used to counter infections. Mustard oil, derived from the Mustard seeds, is widely used in cooking and massage.

Climate for Mustard Cultivation

Mustard crop thrives in cool, dry climates. In India, Rai plants are grown during the rabi season. The moderate temperature required for Sarso crop growth is between 20°C to 28°C. Mustard plants cannot tolerate temperatures above 35°C, and this leads to lower yields. Severe cold can also harm Rai crops. Particularly frost during the flowering stage of the Mustard crop. Therefore, Sarso should be cultivated in regions with mild winters.

Low humidity is crucial during flowering and pod development. High moisture can lead to fungal infections in Rai crops. It can also hurt pollination. Sarso Plant best thrives in regions with 300-400 mm of annual rainfall. But rainfall must be spread evenly during the growing season.

Soil for Sowing Mustard Seeds

Mustard is a hardy plant that can thrive in almost any soil. However, Sarso plants perform better and yield more if planted in well-drained loam soils with a fair amount of organic matter. Rai plants prefer pH levels in the range of 6.0 to 7.5. The soil should be well drained without any water logging. Saline and alkaline soils are not suitable for the growth of Rai plants.

Land Preparation for Sowing Mustard Seeds

The first step to preparing land for the Mustard crop is deep ploughing. This practice helps weed out plants. It also enhances the field's soil aeration. Land can be ploughed twice. A disc plough can be used. Harrowing is employed to break soil into a fine texture. Afterwards, the field should be levelled to ensure proper water flow during irrigation.

During land preparation, 15 to 20 tons/ha of FYM can be added. Doing this will enrich soil fertility.

Mustard Seeds and Propagation Material

Selection of a Mustard Variety: Various factors such as climate, soil, and local market preferences can be considered when selecting a mustard variety.

Procurement of quality Mustard seeds: Mustard seeds from reputed companies should be procured for better quality. At Desikheti, a wide range of quality mustard seeds are available with a doorstep delivery option.

Mustard Seed Requirement: Usually, 1 kg of mustard seeds are required per acre of land. However, the exact seed rate varies based on spacing, cultivation purpose, etc.

Mustard Seed Treatment: Usually, Mustard seeds sold by the private sector are treated with chemicals before sale. However, if the mustard seeds bought are not treated with chemicals, they should be treated with Carbendazim or Captan at 2 g per kg of seed. This helps prevent soil-borne diseases.

Time of Sowing Mustard Seeds

Mustard requires a relatively cool temperature and a dry harvest period. In India, the Sarso crop is grown mostly in northern regions. Mustard seeds are sown in the rabi season from September-October to February–March. The exact time of sowing Mustard seeds varies based on region, climate, variety, etc. Generally, sowing of Mustard seeds is done from mid-October to mid-November. In areas with irrigation, Mustard seeds can be sown by the first week of November. Sowing Mustard seeds in rainfed regions can be extended to mid-November, depending on the climate.

Starting early in the season allows the mustard crop sufficient time to mature. This also reduces the Risk of flower and pod loss. Delayed sowing of Mustard seeds can expose the crop to high temperatures. This happens especially at crucial stages of plant growth and can result in poor yields.

Method of Sowing Mustard Seeds

Generally, there are two methods for sowing Mustard seeds. These are broadcasting and drilling. Drilling is preferred because it leads to even mustard seed placement. Broadcasting Sarso seeds can cause uneven growth and may require manual labor for field management.  

Mustard seeds need to be sown at a depth of 2-3 cm. Usually, the row-to-row spacing is 30-45 cm, and plant-to-plant spacing is 10-15 cm.

Nutrient Management for Mustard Farming

Mustard requires a balanced nutrient supply to flourish. The exact fertilizer requirements vary based on region, soil, etc. The general recommendation of fertilizer for Sarso cultivation is 60-80 kg per hectare of Nitrogen, 30-40 kg per hectare of Phosphorus, 20-25 kg per hectare of Potassium, and 20-30 kg per hectare of Sulphur.

Half the Nitrogen and all of the Phosphorus, Potassium, and Sulphur need to be applied as basal dose. The rest of the Nitrogen can be applied 30 to 35 days after sowing Mustard seeds.

Irrigation Management for Mustard Cultivation

Mustard crops do not require a lot of water. Rai crop is usually grown using the moisture left in the soil after the monsoon, especially in medium to heavy soils. If needed, 2 to 3 light irrigations can be given, depending on water availability. It is good to delay the first irrigation as much as possible because this helps the Sarso plants grow more branches, which means more flowers and fruits.

The first irrigation can be done when the Sarso plants are well into the flowering stage, and the second one during the fruiting stage. Be careful not to overwater, as this can harm the crop and reduce the yield.

Weed Management for Mustard Farming

The mustard crop is sensitive to weed competition. Weed competition during early growth stages can result in significant yield losses. Therefore, weeds need to be removed before sowing Rai seeds. Later usually two weedings are done. Initial weeding generally takes place 20-25 days after sowing Sarso seeds. Subsequent weeding can be done 40-45 days after sowing mustard seeds.

Pest and Disease Management in Mustard Farming

Common Pests of Mustard 

Aphids (Lipaphis erysimi)

• Nymphs and adults suck sap from the Mustard plant leaves and flowers.
• This results in Rai leaves curling and becoming distorted.
• Sooty mold develops on Rai plants.
• Rai Leaves looks sickly and blighted.

Mustard Sawfly (Athalia lugens proxima)

• The larvae start by feeding on the Sarso leaves and eventually create holes in mustard leaves as they feed.
• Sarso leaves become skeletonized, and severe foliage loss occurs.
• Larvae fall to the ground and pretend to be dead when touched lightly.

Diamondback Moth (Plutella xylostella)

• Caterpillars feed on the underside of mustard leaves, resulting in holes.
• In severe cases, the Rai leaves can become skeletonized.

Painted Bug (Bagrada cruciferarum)

• Painted bug nymphs and adults feed on the sap from mustard leaves, shoots, and pods, making the plant weak and wilted.
• They also release a sticky resin-like substance that ruins the Rai pods.

Common Diseases of Mustard 

White Rust (Albugo candida)

• Both local and systemic infections can occur.
• In case of local infection, small white or creamy-yellow pustules appear on the underside of the mustard leaves, which eventually merge into larger patches.
• In the case of Systemic infection, the floral parts become malformed and distorted due to abnormal growth. The entire inflorescence can be replaced by a swollen, sterile structure called a "stag head." The damage is most severe when the infection spreads to the Sarso stem.

Downy Mildew (Peronospora parasitica)

• Symptoms usually appear on the above-ground parts of the mustard plant, particularly the leaves and flowers.
• Greyish-white, irregular patches develop on the underside of the Rai leaves.
• The most obvious sign is the infection of the Rai flowers, which causes the peduncle or inflorescence to swell, forming a "stag head."
• The affected mustard flowers do not produce any seeds.

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cruciferarum)

• Symptoms show up as dirty white, circular patches on both sides of the lower mustard leaves.
• In favorable conditions, the Powdery mildew infection can spread to the Sarso leaves, stems, and pods.
• The affected pods(Silique) produce small, shriveled Rai seeds.

Harvesting of Mustard Seeds

Mustard plants reach harvesting approximately 100-120 days after sowing Mustard seeds. The Sarso plant is ripe for harvest when leaves turn yellow, and 75-80% of the pods are yellow. If harvested early, mustard seeds will shrivel. Waiting too long for harvest can result in pod Shattering and loss of Mustard seeds.

Harvesting of Sarso crops can be done using Sickles. The harvested crop must be sun-dried before the crop is threshed. Sun drying helps in reducing the moisture content to around 8-10%

Mustard Crop Yield

The performance of mustard crop varies with the environment, seed type, and other farm management practices. Generally, a yield of 10 to 15 quintals per acre can be obtained.