Rapeseed & Mustard (Canola group) – Brassica spp.

1. Origin and History

• Origin: Mediterranean region, Central Asia & Europe.
• Domestication dates back to ~2000 BC.
• Introduced to India centuries ago → now a traditional oilseed crop.
• Canola: Developed in Canada in the 1970s by breeding Brassica napus & B. rapa for low erucic acid (<2%) and low glucosinolates (<30 µmol/g meal).

2. General Information

• Belongs to family Brassicaceae (Cruciferae).
• India = largest producer of rapeseed-mustard after Canada, China.
• Second most important edible oilseed in India after soybean/groundnut.
• Known as “yellow gold”.
• Seeds contain 35–40% oil and 20–25% protein.
• By-product oilcake = excellent cattle feed (after detoxification).

3. Species of Economic Importance

• Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea) – main species in India.
• Toria (Brassica rapa var. toria) – short duration, early sowing.
• Yellow Sarson (Brassica rapa var. yellow sarson) – widely grown in Assam, Bengal.
• Taramira (Eruca sativa) – drought hardy, grown in Rajasthan.
• Gobhi Sarson (Brassica napus) – limited area, long duration.

4. Area, Production & Distribution (India, 2023)

• Area: ~9–9.5 million ha.
• Production: ~12 million tonnes.
• States: Rajasthan > Uttar Pradesh > Madhya Pradesh > Haryana > West Bengal.
• Districts: Alwar, Bharatpur, Tonk (Rajasthan belt).
• Global ranking: India is 3rd largest producer (after Canada & China).

5. Climatic Requirements

• Season: Rabi (Oct–March).
• Temperature: 18–25°C optimum (frost-sensitive).
• Rainfall: 400–800 mm (requires residual moisture).
• Photoperiod: Long-day plant but performs under Indian short-day conditions.
• Sensitive to: Frost during flowering & high temp during seed filling.

6. Soil

• Suitable: Well-drained loam to clay loam.
• Optimum pH: 6.0–7.5.
• Avoid saline, acidic & waterlogged soils.

7. Varieties (examples)

• Indian Mustard: Varuna, Pusa Bold, RH 30, Rohini, Giriraj.
• Toria: T-9, Pusa Toria-30, TL-15.
• Yellow Sarson: YSH-401, PYS-1.
• Gobhi Sarson: GSC-6, GSC-7.
• Canola type (Double Low): Pusa Karishma, GSC-6.

8. Agronomy (Cultural Practices)

• Sowing time: Mid-October to early November (North India).
• Seed rate:
  • Mustard: 5–6 kg/ha.
  • Toria: 10–12 kg/ha.
• Spacing: 30–45 cm × 10–15 cm.
• Sowing depth: 2–3 cm.
• Fertilizer requirement (general):
  • 80–120 kg N/ha.
  • 40–60 kg P₂O₅/ha.
  • 40 kg K₂O/ha.
  • 20–40 kg S/ha improves oil content.
• Biofertilizers: Azotobacter + PSB recommended.
• Irrigation: Critical stages →
  • Pre-flowering (50 DAS)
  • Pod formation (75 DAS).
  • 3–4 irrigations sufficient (excess moisture harmful).

9. Weed Management

• First 30–40 DAS = critical period.
• Manual weeding (20–25 DAS).
• Herbicides:
  • Fluchloralin 1.0 kg a.i./ha (PPI).
  • Isoproturon 0.75 kg a.i./ha (POE).
  • Pendimethalin 1.0 kg a.i./ha (PE).

10. Pests and Diseases

• Pests:
  • Mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi) → systemic insecticides (Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam).
  • Painted bug.
• Diseases:
  • Alternaria blight → Mancozeb sprays.
  • White rust (Albugo candida).
  • Downy mildew.
• Management: Resistant varieties + seed treatment + timely sprays.

11. Quality Components

• Oil content: 35–40%.
• Protein content: 20–25%.
• Special quality: Canola (double low → <2% erucic acid, <30 µmol glucosinolates).
• Problem in traditional mustard: High erucic acid → harmful for heart health; glucosinolates → anti-nutritional.

12. Industrial & Food Uses

• Edible oil (cooking).
• Industrial uses: Soap, lubricants, paints, biodiesel.
• Mustard oilcake: Valuable protein-rich cattle feed (after detoxification).
• Green mustard: Used as leafy vegetable (sarson ka saag).

13. Economics

• Cost of cultivation: Low–moderate.
• Net returns: High under irrigated conditions.
• B:C ratio: ~1.5–2.0.
• Important Rabi cash crop in northwestern plains of India.

14. Post-harvest Technology

• Harvest when siliquae (pods) turn yellow & seeds harden.
• Delay → shattering loss.
• Threshing by beating or combine harvester.
• Dry to 8–9% moisture before storage.

15. Important MCQ Facts (Quick Recap)

• Botanical family: Brassicaceae.
• Oil content: 35–40%.
• Protein content: 20–25%.
• Canola quality: <2% erucic acid, <30 µmol/g glucosinolates.
• Seed rate: Mustard → 5–6 kg/ha, Toria → 10–12 kg/ha.
• Spacing: 30–45 × 10–15 cm.
• Critical irrigation: Pre-flowering & pod formation.
• Major pest: Mustard aphid.
• Major disease: Alternaria blight.