Phenology of Indian mustard (B. juncea) as affected by sowing dates and microbes

The present study investigated the role of seeds dressed with microbial cultures sown at two dates on phenological traits in mustard varieties. Field experiment was conducted with three mustard varieties (Giriraj, PBR 357 and RH 725) sown at two dates with microbial treatments (Pusa Sanjeevani, Microbial formulation and control/no culture) in completely randomised block design (RBD) during two rabi seasons 2021-22 and 2022-23. Planting time and microbial treatments had a significant influence on phenology of the three varieties. Timely sown crop showed early initiation and completion of flowering and siliquae formation whereas, days for flowering duration, siliquing duration, reproductive phase and physiological maturity were extended over late-sown crops. Control with no microbial inoculum took more days for initiation i.e. 10.4 for flowering and 12.7 days for siliquing. However, days taken to completion of flowering and fruiting were more 8.6 and 9.2 days, respectively. Delayed planting resulted in shorter durations of flowering by 1.8 days and siliquing by 3.5 days leading to shortened reproductive phase with forced maturity w.r.t untreated control. Seed yield varied significantly under both sowing conditions. Under late planting, yield was reduced by 10.8% in control/ with no microbial inoculum, 5.5% with Microbial formulation and 5.4% with Pusa Sanjeevani. Seed yield had positive and significant correlation with phenological traits under both the sowing conditions.