Response of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) to sowing date and row spacing in mid-hills of Sikkim under rainfed conditions

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) seasons of 19992000 and 2000-2001 to study the response of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson] to sowing date and row spacing. Sowing on 25 September and 5 October recorded significantly higher number of branches, seeds/siliquae, siliquae/plant, 1,000-seed weight and seed yield than that on 15 October, 25 October and 4 November. Seed yield decreased progressively with delay in planting. However, seed yield was significantly influenced by different row spacing. Significantly higher seed yield/ha was recorded with 30 and 45 cm row spacing than 60 cm row spacing. A row spacing of 45 cm was found suitable for crop sown on 25 September and 5 October, while 30 cm was optimum for Indian mustard sown beyond 5 October. Oil content (%) was significantly influenced by sowing date but remained unaffected due to variation in row spacing.