Farming Guide of Black Mustard

1. Climate and Season

• Black mustard is a cool season crop.
• Best temperature: 10–25°C.
• Grown as a Rabi Crop in India (Sown in October–November, harvested in February–March).
• Needs cool, dry weather during growth and clear, dry conditions at harvest.

2. Soil Requirements

• Prefers well-drained loamy soil with good fertility.
• Tolerates a wide range of soils, but avoid saline and water logged lands.
• Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5.

3. Land Preparation

• 2–3 ploughings + harrowing to get fine tilth.
• Apply 10–12 tons/ha FYM (Farmyard Manure) during last ploughing.
• Fields should be well leveled for uniform germination.

4. Seed and Sowing

• Seed rate: 5–6 kg/ha.
• Spacing:
  • Row to Row: 30–45 cm
  • Plant to Plant: 10–15 cm
• Depth: Sow seeds at 1.5–2 cm depth.
• Method: Line sowing or seed drill for better crop stand.
• Germination takes 5–8 days.

5. Nutrient Management

• Recommended dose (per hectare):
  • N: 80 kg
  • P₂O₅: 40 kg
  • K₂O: 40 kg
• Half nitrogen + full P and K → at sowing.
• Remaining Nitrogen → top dress at 30 days after sowing.

6. Irrigation

• Crop is drought tolerant but irrigation improves yield.
• Critical stages:
  a) Pre-flowering
  b) Pod formation
• Normally 2–3 irrigations are sufficient.
• Avoid water stagnation (roots are sensitive to water logging).

7. Weed Management

• Weeding at 20–25 days after sowing is essential.
• 1–2 manual weeding or intercultivation.
• Pre-emergence herbicide like Pendimethalin (1 kg) can be applied.

8. Pest and Diseases

• Pest:
  • Mustard aphid → spray neem oil or Dimethoate.
  • Painted bug → hand collection, dusting with Malathion.
• Diseases:
  • Alternaria blight → spray Mancozeb or copper oxychloride.
  • White rust → avoid waterlogging, spray Metalaxyl.

9. Harvesting

• Crop ready in 110–140 days.
• Harvest when pods turn yellowish-brown but before shattering.
• Cut plants, dry for 5–7 days, then thresh and clean seed.