Effect of nano-particles on growth, productivity, profitability of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) under semi-arid conditions

The field experiment was conducted to study the effect of nano-particles (chitosan and titanium oxide) on growth, yield and economics of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss.] during 2013-14 and 2014-15 comprising nine treatments of seed and foliar spray of nano-particles and thiourea in RBD with three replications. Maximum dry matter accumulation was recorded under seed treatment with titanium oxide (STTO) at 1000 ppm during both the years. The SPAD value indicated that higher greenness was noticed with STTO @ 1000 ppm, followed by titanium oxide spray @ 500 ppm. The maximum primary and secondary branches were recorded in STTO@ 1000 ppm, followed by the foliar spray of titanium oxide @ 500ppm. The bold seeds were also produced with higher 1000 seed weight (5.9 gm and 6.1 gm during 2013 and 2014, respectively) in STTO @ 1000 ppm. Across all the treatments, STTO @ 1000 ppm resulted in higher yield attributes. Seed treatment with STTO @ 500 ppm recorded 20% higher seed yield over thiourea. STTO @ 1000 ppm and STCH @500 ppm recorded significantly higher biological yield over rest of the other treatments. Significantly (P≤0.05) higher oil content was noticed in STTO @ 1000 ppm during both the years and the highest oil yield (852 and 836 kg/ha), highest net return and maximum B:C ratio (2.95 and 2.76) during 2014-15 and 2015-16, respectively) was also recorded in STTO @ 1000 ppm. The pooled analysis of two years data showed that the highest nitrogen, phosphorus and potash uptake from seed and stover was recorded under STTO 1000 ppm, followed by STTO @ 500 ppm and foliar application of chitosan @ 1000 ppm.