Using hydrogel and salicylic acid to increase the yield, profitability, and water efficiency of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea)

Abstract

Due to water scarcity, increasing Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.) production in Rajasthan's arid and
semi-arid regions is a major challenge. The lack of water in certain areas of India results in reduced mustard
production. A field experiment was conducted at the Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University research farm
in Jobner, Rajasthan, during the rabi (winter) seasons of 2018–19, 2019–20, and 2020–21 to evaluate the effects
of hydrogel and foliar application of salicylic acid on the growth, yield, economic returns, and water use
efficiency of Indian mustard. The results demonstrated a significant and very effective impact from foliar
spraying hydrogel at a rate of 5.0 kg/ha together with salicylic acid at a concentration of 200 ppm during the
blooming and siliqua production phases. This treatment increased growth characteristics, yield features, seed
yield (1840 kg/ha), stover yield (3847 kg/ha), water usage efficiency (8.53 kg/ha-mm), protein content (18.6%),
oil content (39.13%), net returns (₹51,710/ha), and benefit-cost ratio (2.03). Furthermore, similar results were
obtained for treatments containing 2.5 kg/ha of hydrogel with 200 ppm of salicylic acid and 5.0 kg/ha of
hydrogel with 100 ppm of salicylic acid. The combined findings of the experiment confirm that hydrogel and
salicylic acid are a practical and effective way to increase the yield, profitability, and water-use efficiency of
Indian mustard in the dry and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan.