Productivity and economics of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea)-based cropping systems under brackish water resource

A field experiment was conducted during 1997-98 and 1998-99 on sandy loam soil at the National Research Centre on Rapeseed-Mustard, Bharatpur (Rajasthan), to study the production potential, and economics of 5 important Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson] based cropping systems under rainfed conditions. Among all the cropping systems, pearlmillet [Pennisetium glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend. Stuntz) + clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taubert] grown for fodder followed by Indian mustard gave the highest productivity per unit area per unit time. This system gave 411.6 q/ha fodder yield of pearlmilletd + clusterbean, followed by 10.15 q/ha. Though Indian mustard yield was higher after clusterbean, Indian mustard-equivalent yield (15.80 q/ha) was the highest in pearlmillet+ clusterbean-Indian mustard cropping system. The highest net return was also received from this system (Rs 11,989/ha), followed by clusterbean-Indian mustard cropping system (Rs 10,687/ha). Fallow-Indian mustard cropping system mostly followed by the farmers of Rajasthan gave the lowest indian mustard-equivalent yield (10.15 q/ha) and net return (Rs 6,000/ha).