Mustard Crop

Mustard Crop Latest News

Recently, Mustard Crop has been increasingly susceptible to infestation by Orobanche aegyptiaca.

About Mustard Crop

• It is a predominantly self-pollinating crop.
• Common Name: Sarason (Hindi), Rai (Punjabi), Katuku (Tamil), Kaduk (Malayalam), Avalu (Telugu). 
• Crop Season:  Rabi season 

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Climatic Requirements for Mustard crop

• Soil Requirements: Sandy loam soil is the most ideal textural classification for the cultivation of mustard crop. 
• Mustard thrives well in dry and chilled environmental conditions.
• Temperature: It requires temperatures ranging between 10°C to 25°C
• Rainfall: An annual rainfall between 625 to 1000 mm is suitable for cultivation of mustard crop.
• It is highly sensitive to frost damage. 
• Mustard seeds and its oil is used for culinary purpose. Young leaves are used for vegetable purpose. Its oil cake is used for feeding cattle.
• Major Mustard Production States: Rajasthan (largest producing state), Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh.

Key Facts about Orobanche aegyptiaca

• It is a parasitic weed that attaches to mustard roots and siphons off water and nutrients, leading to poor plant growth and reduced seed yields.
• This leads to wilting, yellowing, stunted plant growth and ultimately sharp declines in seed yields. 
• This parasite remains hidden below the soil initially, damage is already extensive by the time it becomes visible.

 Source: IE