EFFECT OF SOWING DATE AND PLANT-DENSITY ON PRODUCTIVITY AND ECONOMICS OF YELLOW SARSON (BRASSICA-CAMPESTRIS SUBSP OLEIFERA VAR YELLOW SARSON)

A field experiment was conducted during the winter seasons of 1987-88 and 1988-89 on sandy-loam lateritic acid tract of West Bengal, to study the effect of date of sowing and plant density on productivity and economics of yellow sarson [Brassica campestris L. ssp. oleifera (Metzger) Sinsk. var. yellow sarson]. Early-sown crop (mid-October to early November) gave high grain, stick and oil yields. It also gave the maximum net return along with high monetary return per rupee invested. Crop sown beyond middle of November gave poor yield and very low net return. High plant density (333,000/ha) recorded higher grain and stick yields, lower harvest index and higher oil yield than low plant density. It also gave high net return and high return per rupee invested and could partially recover the loss in productivity due to late sowing.