Scaling-up of toria (Brassica campestris) productivity using diverse agro-techniques in eastern Himalayan region

Field experimentation on toria (Brassica campestris L.) was carried out with the major objective of utilizing the fallow land after rainy season by following suitable management practices in the region. Results revealed that under conventional tillage, roots were 39.1% longer and 36.8% heavier biomass, contrarily no tillage had 6% more soil organic carbon. The seed yield improved by 44.8% with minimum tillage over no tillage. Crop sown on 15 October obtained 16.9-47.6% additional seed yield over before and after sown crops, but line sowing evidenced 22.1% higher seed yield than the broadcasting. Planting geometry with 30x15 cm noticed 3.1-32.9% more seed yield. Nitrogen application at 75 kg/ha had 5.3-47% improvement of seed yield, whereas nitrogen use efficiency was highest with 50 kg/ha. Phosphorus application at 50 kg/ha added 61.5% more yield, whereas phosphorus-use efficiency was highest at 25 kg/ha. Twice irrigation at 30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS) noticed 40.5% extra seed yield, contrary water-use efficiency was highest with single irrigation at 30 DAS over no irrigation. Hand weeding twice at 25 and 50 DAS supplemented the seed yield by 52.6% with 55.7% weed control efficiency over no weeding. Adoption of better package of practices in newer area under existing cropping system will play a key role in future yield improvement. Therefore, as per the resource availability feasible technologies may harness higher seed yield of toria in eastern Himalayas.