Evaluation of Production Technologies of Indian Mustard [ Brassica Juncea (l.) Czern&coss] under Front Line Demonstration

The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Azamgarh (UP) has conducted 45 demonstrations on Indian mustard variety Pusa Jai Kisan since 2009-10 to 2012-13 in four consecutive years. The critical inputs were identified in existing production technology through farmers meetings and group discussions with the farmers. Delayed sowing, use of higher seed rate resulting dense plant population, often uneven plant population, uncontrolled weeds, ignorance about fertilizer management and role of sulphur in synthesis of oil containing amino acids and lack of plant protection measures are predominant identified cause of low productivity of oilseeds in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Similarly, the other parameters like technology gap, extension gap and technology index were also analyzed for assessment of technology adoption rate with extension activities and feasibility of demonstrated technologies at gross ischolar_main levels. The results of four years are presented on average basis and revealed that the yield obtained under demonstrated plots was 16.95 q ha-1 over traditional practices of 11.7 q ha-1. However, an additional yield of 5.25 q ha-1 and the increase in average mustard productivity by 45 per cent is able to contribute present oilseed requirement on national basis. The average of technology gap and technological index were found to be 8.05 and 32.2 per cent, respectively.Moreover, the results clearly indicate the positive effects of FLDs over the existing practices towards the enhancing the productivity of rapeseed-mustard in the region of eastern UP. Profitability was also higher under demonstration against traditional system of mustard cultivation during all the years of technology demonstration.