Assignment on Effect of Nitrogen And Boron

Introduction

Effect of N and B on plant height, number of branches per plant, number of siliquae per plant, number of seeds per siliqua, weight of 1000-seeds, root dry weight, seed yield, stover yield, biological yield, harvest index, nutrient content and its uptake by seeds, protein content in seeds of mustard are shown in the Tables 3-15. Nutrient status in post harvest soil also presented in Table 16.The results presented in tables are discussed character wise under the following heads.

Effect of N and B on growth and yield of mustard

Plant height

Plant height of mustard was significantly increased by different levels of nitrogen (Table 3). The tallest plant (72.23 cm) was produced with 150 kg N/ha which was statistically similar with that of 100 kg N/ha followed by 50 kg N/ha and shortest plant (63.50 cm) was found in control treatment. The increment of plant height due to N application @ 150 kg/ha was 17.3% higher over control plots (N₀). It was observed that plant height increased gradually with the increment of nitrogen doses. This might be due to higher availability of N and their uptake that progressively enhanced the vegetative growth of the plant. These are an agreement with those of Ali et al. (1990), Mondal and Gaffer (1983), Gaffer and Razzaque (1983), who have reported that different levels of nitrogen significantly increased plant height. Asaduzzaman and Shamsuddin (1986) have also obtained the similar results.

There was no significant difference among the different levels of boron in respect of plant height (Table 4). But plant height increased with increasing levels of boron up to higher level. The tallest plant (67.07 cm) was produced with 3 kg B/ha and shortest plant (63.50 cm) was found control treatment.

The treatment combinations of nitrogen and boron had significant effect on plant height (Table 5). The tallest plant (73.28 cm) was found in N₁₅₀B₃ treatment. The shortest plant (63.50 cm) was observed in the control treatment. These results revealed that higher dose of nitrogen and boron were influential nutrients for increasing the plant height.

Number of branches per plant

The effect of N on number of primary branches per plant was influenced significantly (Table 3). The highest number of branches per plant (4.33) was recorded from the treatment of 100 kg N /ha, which was significantly different from others treatment except the highest treatment of 150 kg N /ha. Plants in control plots (N₀) produced the lowest number of primary branches /plant (2.33). It is evident from the results that the application of N up to 100 kg/ha increased number of branches per plant. Gaffer and Razzaque (1983) also observed the similar results in mustard.

Boron fertilizer had no significant effect on number of branches /plant (Table 4). But number of branches per plant increased with increasing level of B up to 2 kg B/ha. Further addition of B decreased the number of branches per plant. The highest number of branches per plant (3.33) was recorded from the treatment of 2 kg B /ha and the minimum number of branches per plant (2.33) was produced by 1 kg B/ha and in control treatment.

Interaction effect of N and B on the number of primary branches per plant was found positive (Table 5). Treatment N₁₅₀B₂ produced the maximum number of primary branches per plant (5.00), which was not statistically different from N₁₀₀B_3, N₁₀₀B_0, and N₅₀B_3. The lowest number of branches per plant was obtained from N₀B_1, which was similar with N₀B₀ (Table 5)_. It was further observed that the treatment N₁₅₀B₃ was identical with N₅₀B_3, N₁₀₀B_0, and N₁₀₀B₃.

Number of siliquae per plant

Number of siliquae per plant progressively increased with increasing level of N (Table 3). The highest number of siliquae per plant (139.30) was produced by 150 kg N/ha, which was 99% higher over control (70/plant). Sharawat et al.(2002) found maximum no. of siliquae per plant with 120 kg N/ha. Grewal and Kolar (1990) recorded maximum number of siliquae per plant when N was applied at 100 kg /ha which promoted higher seed yield of Brassica  juncea. These results indicated that higher dose of nitrogen favoured for higher number of siliquae formation.

Number of siliquae per plant was significantly influenced by the application of B up to certain level (Table 4). The highest number of siliquae per plant (73.33) was produced by 2 kg B/ha, which was not statistically different from other treatment except control treatment. The lowest number (68.33) was produced B control treatment. These results are in conformity with those of Islam and Sarker (1993), Dutta and Uddin (1983) and Dutta et al. (1984), who have observed increased number of siliquae per plant of mustard by increasing rate of boron.

Interaction effect of N and B on the number of siliquae per plant was significant (Table 5). The the highest number of siliquae per plant (169.7) was found in N₁₅₀B₃ treatment, which was not statistically different from N₁₅₀B₂ and N₁₅₀B₁ treatment. The treatment combination N₀B₀ gave the lowest number of siliquae per plant (68.3), which was statistically similar with the treatment combination N₀B_1, N₀B_2, and N₀B₃. These results revealed that higher higher dose of nitrogen is influential nutrient for producing number of siliquae per plant and boron had no such influence for this character.

Effect of N on growth and yield attributes of mustard

Figure in column, having same letter(s) do not differ significantly at 1% level of significance.      *= Significant at 5% level of significance

Effect of B on growth and yield attributes of mustard

Figure in column, having same letter(s) do not differ significantly at 5% level of significance.    NS = Non significant

Number of seeds per siliqua

There were significant differences among the different levels of N (Table 3). Number of seeds per siliqua gradually increased with increasing levels of nitrogen. The highest number of seeds per siliqua (15) was obtained with the application of 150 kg N/ha, which was not significantly different from the second highest N dose (100 kg N/ha) but was significantly different from other two treatments. The lowest number of seeds per siliqua (11) was produced by control treatment. Mondal and Gaffer (1983) observed that different levels of N had significant effect on number of seeds per siliqua and highest number of seeds per siliqua was produced by 140 kg N/ha. Similar result was also obtained by Sharawat et al. (2002), Sen et al. (1977) and Allen and Morgan (1972).

The effect of boron on the number of seeds per siliqua was found positive but not significant except control treatment (Table 4). Number of seeds per siliqua gradually increased with increasing level of B up to 2 kg/ha. The highest number of seeds/siliqua (13.00) was obtained with the application of 2 kg B/ha, which was not statistically different from other two treatments except control treatment. The lowest number of seeds/siliqua (11.00) was found in control treatment. Islam and Sarker (1993) also observed that number of seeds per siliqua increased with increasing rate of boron.

The treatment combinations of nitrogen and boron on number of seeds per siliqua were significant (Table 5). The highest no. of seeds /siliqua (16.33) was obtained in N₁₅₀B₂, which was not statistically different from the treatment of N₁₅₀B_0, N₁₅₀B₁, N₅₀B₁, N₁₅₀B₃ and N₁₀₀B₂ and the lowest number of seeds per siliqua (11.00) was produced by the control treatment, which was not statistically different from the treatment of N₀B_1, N₀B_2, N₀B_3, N₅₀B_0, N₅₀B₂ and N₁₀₀B₁.

Root dry weight

Root dry weight of mustard was significantly affected by different levels of N (Table 3). The highest root weight (0.33 t/ha) was produced by 150 kg N/ha, which was significantly different from others. Root dry weight progressively increased with increasing level of N up to higher level. This might be due to better growth character of the plant for higher nitrogen. The minimum root dry weight (0.17 t/ha) was found in control treatment.

 The effect of boron on root dry weight was found positive (Table 4). Root dry weight gradually increased with increasing level of B up to higher level. The highest root dry weight (0.23 t/ha) was obtained with the application of 3 kg B /ha, which was significantly different from other treatments. The lowest root dry weight (0.17 t/ha) was found in control treatment. This results also indicate that root dry weight 94% increased due application of B @3 kg/ha over control.

The treatment combination of nitrogen and boron had significant effect on plant root dry weight of mustard (Table 5). The highest root dry weight (0.37 t/ha) was produced by N₁₅₀B₃, which was not statistically different with N₁₅₀B₂, N₁₅₀B₁, N₁₅₀B₀, N₁₀₀B₃ and N₁₀₀B₁. Control treatment N₀B₀ gave the lowest root weight (0.17 t/ha), which was statistically similar with N₀B₁ and N₀B₂. It was observed that the treatment combination of N₁₅₀B₀ was identical with N₁₀₀B₁. It was further observed that interaction of N₁₀₀B₂ wasidentical with N₅₀B₃.

Interaction effect of N and B on growth and yield attributes of mustard

Figure in column, having same letter(s) do not differ significantly at 1% level of significance.

*= Significant at 5% level of significance

Thousand (1000) seeds Weight

Thousand (1000) seeds weight of mustard was significantly affected by different levels of nitrogen (Table 6). Plant receiving N at the rate of 100 kg/ha produced significantly higher weight of 1000 seeds, which was 7.9% higher over control treatment. Further increment of N, did not affect the seed weight. The lowest weight of 1000 seeds was recorded in N control treatment. Sharawat et al. (2002), Mudholkar and Ahlawat (1981) observed such insignificant response of N application on 1000-seeds weight of rapeseed.

Thousand (1000) seeds weight of rapeseed was not significantly affected by different levels of boron (Table 7). In absence of B (B₀) gave the lowest 1000- seeds weight (1.70 g).

The combined effect of N and b on thousand (1000) seeds weight of mustard was significant (Table 8). The treatment combination N₁₀₀B₃ gave thehighest 1000- seeds weight (2.33 g), which was statistically similar with N₁₀₀B₀ and N₅₀B₂ followed by N₁₀₀B₂. The lowest 1000-seeds weight (1.70 g) was obtained from the N₀B₁ treatment combination, which was not statistically different from N₀B₁ and N₀B₂.

 Effect of N on yield and yield attributes of mustard

Figure in column, having same letter(s) do not differ significantly at 1% level of significance.

Effect of B on yield and yield attributes of mustard

Figure in column, having same letter(s) do not differ significantly at 5% level of significance.      NS = Non significant

Seed Yield (t /ha)

Seed yield was significantly affected by different levels of N (Table 6 and Fig. 3). Seed yield increased with increasing level of N up to 100 kg/ha. Further addition of N above 100 kg/ha decreased seed yield of mustard. The highest seed yield (1.62 t/ha) was obtained in N₁₀₀ treatment, which was significantly 118% higher as compared to the lowest seed yield (0.74 t/ha) in N₀ treatment. The cause of yield increment might be due to higher nitrogen consumption and favorable effect of yield contributing characters of mustard/rapeseed. These results are in conformity with that of Tomer et al. (1996), Mondal and Gaffar (1983), Singh and Rathi (1984), Narang and Singh (1985) and Sharawat et al. (2002), who have observed increased seed yield of mustard by increasing rate of nitrogen. A similar result was obtained by Shahidullah et al. (1996).

Seed yield was significantly affected by different levels of B (Table 7 and Fig. 4). Application of B at the rate of 2 kg/ha produced higher seed yield (0.97 t/ha). Further addition of B beyond 2 kg/ha could not increase seed yield. The lowest seed yield (0.74 t/ha) was produced with control treatment. Sakal et al. (1991), Sinha et al. (1991), Banuels et al. (1990), Islam and Sarker (1993), Juel (1980), Gerath et al. (1975) obtained a similar result by applying 1 to 2 kg B/ha. Malewar (2001) found that seed yield significantly increased with each levels of boron.

Seed yield was significantly affected by different treatment combinations of nitrogen and boron (Table 8). The highest seed yield (1.96 t/ha) was recorded in N₁₅₀B₂ treatment, which was 164.9% higher over control (N₀B₀) treatment. The lowest seed yield (0.74 t/ha) was found by the control treatment, which was similar with N₀B₁, N₀B₃ and N₅₀B₀. Without addition of B, the seed yield of mustard increased with every increment in rate of N application up to 100 kg/ha, beyond which at 150 kg/ha created a detrimental effect to reduce the yield by 10.86%. Similar trend was also noted in case of B, where the mustard yield in absence of B, in N₀B₀ treatment was as low as 0.74 t/ha, which increased gradually to 0.75 t/ha in N₀B₁ and 0.97 t/ha in N₀B₂ treatment. Finally the yield declined to 0.85 t/ha under the highest rate of B application in N₀B₃ treatment. Patra (1989) found higher seed yield in soybean due to application of B @2 kg/ha. This results supported the present findings. Thomas (1985) found the highest yield by applying 1 kg B/ha + 220 to 260 kg N/ha. Yang et al. (1989) and Saini et al. (1985) observed that combined application of N and B increased seed yield.

Stover Yield (t /ha)

Stover yield was significantly increased with increasing levels of N up to higher level (150 kg/ha). Application of 150 kg N/ha produced the highest stover yield (4.55 t/ha) which was significantly different from others treatment of nitrogen (Table 6). It was further observed that 100 kg N/ha produced the second highest stover yield (3.34 t/ha), which was not significantly different from 50 kg N/ha (3.03 t/ha). The lowest stover yield (1.57 t/ha) was obtained in control treatment (N₀). Roy et al. (1981) and Kumar and Gangwar (1985) found higher Dry matter and seed yields with 120 kg N/ha irrespective of two spp.(B. juncea and B. Campestris).

The effect of B on stover yield was found positive (Table 7). There was no significant difference among the treatments except B₃ treatment. But stover yield increased with increasing level of B. Application of 3 kg B/ha produced the highest stover yield (2.07 t/ha) which was significantly different from others treatment. It was further observed that 2 kg B/ha produced the second highest stover yield (1.68 t/ha) which was not significantly different from B₁and B₀ treatment. These are an agreement with those of Malewar (2001) and Sinha et al. (1991), who have reported that the stover yield of mustard increased significantly by boron application. The minimum stover yield (1.57 t/ha) was recorded in control treatment.

The combined effect of N and B on stover yield was significantly influenced (Table 8). The highest stover yield (5.54 t/ha) was produced by the N₁₅₀B₂ treatment, which was statistically similar with N₁₅₀B₁, N₁₅₀B₃ and N₁₀₀B₃. The lowest stover yield (1.57 t/ha) was obtained from control treatment, which was not statistically different from N₀B₁, N₀B₂, and N₀B₃. The combined effect of nitrogen and boron used as 150 kg N/ha and 2 kg B/ha gave the highest stover yield, which was 252.86% higher as compared to control treatment (N₀B₁₀). These results revealed that higher dose of nitrogen is influential nutrient for seed yield and boron had favorable effect for this character. Chatterjee et al. (1985) found that application of B along with N promoted dry matter accumulation.

Biological yield (t/ha)

The effect of N on biological yield was found positive (Table 6). Application of N at the rate of 150 kg/ha significantly produced higher biological yield (6.09 t/ha), which was 164% higher over control. The second highest biological yield (4.96 t/ha) was recorded by 100 kg N/ha which was significantly different from the nitrogen level 50 kg/ha and the lowest (2.31 t/ha) was observed in control treatment. It was clear from this study that higher nitrogen dose gave higher biological yield.

Biological yield was not significantly affected by different levels of boron (Table 7). Biological yield increased with increasing level of boron. Application of B at the rate of 3 kg/ha produced higher biological yield (2.92 t/ha) and lowest (2.31 t/ha) was in control treatment.

Biological yield was significantly influenced by combined effect of N and B (Table 8). Application of N (@ of 150 kg/ha) along with B (@ 2 kg/ha) gave the highest biological yield (7.37 t/ha), which was statistically similar with N₁₅₀B₃, N₁₅₀B₁ and N₁₀₀B₃. The lowest biological yield was recorded in control treatment, which was not statistically different from N₀B₁, N₀B₂ and N₀B₃.

Response of Boron (B) on seed yield of mustard

Interaction effect of N and B on yield and yield attributes of mustard

Figure in column, having same letter(s) do not differ significantly at 1% level of significance

Harvest index (%)

It was found that nitrogen application had significant effect on harvest index (Table 6). The highest harvest index (.32) was observed from 100 kg N/ha which was not statistically different from the control treatment (N₀). The lowest harvest index (0.23) was found in 50 kg N/ha treated plot. Srivastava et al. (1988), Chauhan et al (1986) and Bhargava (1991) found a similar result in their experiment.

It was found that boron application had significant effect on harvest index (Table 7). The highest harvest index (0.37) was observed from 2 kg B/ha which was statistically significant from others. The lowest harvest index (29.00) was found in 3 kg B/ha. Mahajan et al. (1994) found higher harvest index due to B application.

It was found that interaction of nitrogen and boron had significant effect on harvest index (Table 8). The highest harvest index (0.37) was observed from N₀B₂, which was identical with N₁₀₀B₀, N₅₀B₂, N₀B₁ and control treatment. The lowest harvest index (0.23) was found with N₅₀B₀, which was statistically similar with most of the other treatment combinations.

Effect of N and B on nutrient content and it’s uptake by mustard seeds

Nitrogen content in seeds

Data on N content in seeds was influenced by N fertilization. The effect of N on N content of seeds was found positive and significant (Table 9). The average N content in seed increased linearly from 2.92% observed in control to 3.60% in N₁₅₀ treatment. The highest N was found in N₁₅₀, which was statistically similar with N₁₀₀. The lowest concentration of seed-N was in control treatment. The result revealed that nitrogen content in seed was increased with increasing rate of nitrogen.

Nitrogen content in seed was significantly increased with increasing level of B up to higher level (Table 10). The N content in seed ranged from 2.92% observed in control to 3.05% recorded in B₃ treatment. The highest concentration of N obtained with B₃ treatment, which was statistically similar with B₂ and B₁ treatments. The lowest concentration of seed-N was in control treatment. Mahajan et al. (1994) observed that application of B (0.5 kg/ha) increased N concentration over control.

The combined effect of N and B on N content in seed was significant (Table 11).

The N content in seed ranged from 2.92% observed in control to 3.85% in N₁₅₀B₂ treatment. The highest concentration of N obtained with N₁₅₀B₂ treatment, which was statistically similar with N₁₅₀B₃ treatment. The minimum seed-N content was found in control, which was statistically identical with N₀B₁, N₀B₂ and N₀B₃ treatment.

Boron content in seeds

There was no significant difference among the different treatments of N in respect of B content in seed (Table 9). Maximum B content of 0.397% was found in N₁₀₀ treatment. Further addition of N decreased B content in seed. Minimum B content in seed was recorded in N₀ treatment.

There was significant difference among the different treatments of B except control (Table 10). The B content in seed ranged from 0.0347% observed in control to 0.0417% in B₃. The highest B concentration (0.0417%) was observed in B₃, which was not significantly different from B₂ and B_1. The result showed that seed-B content was increased with increasing rate of boron. Chakravarty et al. (1979) found a similar result in his research. A same trend was found by Yadav and Manchandra (1982), Dutta et al. (1984) and Yang et al. (1989).

The combined effect of Nitrogen and boron on B content in seeds was significant (Table 11). Boron content in seed was ranged from 0.0347% to 0.0433%. The maximum boron content in seed was found in N₅₀B₃ treatment, which was significantly identical with N₀B₃, N₅₀B₀, N₅₀B₁, N₅₀B₂, N₁₀₀B₀, N₁₀₀B₁and N₁₀₀B₂ and the minimum B-content (0.0347%) was found in control.

Effect of N on nutrient content in seeds of mustard

Figure in column, having same letter(s) do not differ significantly at 5% level of significance.

** = Significant at 1% level of significance,    NS = Non significant

Effect of B on nutrient content in seeds of mustard

Figure in column, having same letter(s) do not differ significantly at 5% level of significance.

**= Significant at 1% level of significance,   NS = Non significant

Phosphorus content in seeds

Phosphorus content in seed had no positive effect by different nitrogen level (Table 9). The highest p content in seed (0.553%) was found in control treatment, which was significantly different from all other treatment and lowest P-content (0.490%) was found with N₁₀₀. The second highest P-content was obtained from the nitrogen level N₁₅₀, significantly different from highest and lowest N-level.

Phosphorus content in seed was not significantly affected by different boron level (Table 10). The highest p content in seed (0.553%) was found in control treatment and lowest P-content (0.523%) was found with B₃. The second highest P-content was obtained from the boron level B_1. The result revealed that seed-P content was decreased with increasing rate of boron. Mahajan et al. (1994) reported that P content increased due to B (0.5 kg/ha) application.

The treatment combinations of nitrogen and boron significantly influenced the phosphorus content in seed (Table 11). The phosphorus content in seed was ranged from 0.43%, observed in N₁₅₀B₂ to 0.65% found in N₅₀B₃. The highest P content (0.65%) in seed was obtained from the treatment N₅₀B₃, which was significantly different from all other treatment combinations and the lowest one (0.043%) was obtained from N₁₅₀B₂, which was identical with N₁₅₀B₁, N₁₀₀B₃, N₁₀₀B₂ and N₁₀₀B₁. Individually, P-content was decreased with increasing rate of boron and nitrogen had same effect up to 100 kg N/ha.

Interaction effect of N and B on nutrient content in seeds of mustard

Figure in column, having same letter(s) do not differ significantly at1% level of significance.

Potassium content in seeds

Potassium (K) content in seed was affected by different N treatments (Table 9). The highest K content in seed (0.717%) was found in N₁₀₀ treatment, which was similar as N₁₅₀ and the lowest seed-K content (0.707%) was found in N₅₀ treatment, which was similar with control.

It was observed that K content in seed increased with increasing level of B up to 1 kg/ha (Table 10). The highest seed-K content (0.713%) was found in B₁, which was similar with B₂ and was identical with B₃. The lowest seed-K content (0.707%) was found in the control.

Potassium (K) content in seed was significantly affected by the combined effect of nitrogen and boron (Table 11). The treatment combination N₁₀₀B₃ gave thehighest K content in seed (0.747%), which was significantly different from the others and the second highest K content (0.720%) was obtained from N₁₅₀B₃ treatment, which was identical with other treatment combinations. The lowest K content in seed (0.707%) was found in control.

Sulphur content in seeds

Data on S content in seed was influenced by N fertilizer (Table 9). S content in seed ranged from 0.989% observed in control to 1.078% recorded in N₁₀₀ treatment. Sulphur content in seed increased with increasing level of N up to 100 kg/ha. Highest S content was found in N₁₀₀ treatment, which was significantly different from other treatments. The lowest S content (0.989%) was found in control treatment.

Sulphur content in seed decreased with increasing level of B (Table 10). It was found that boron had significant effect on seed-S content. Sulphur content in seed ranged from 0.989% observed in control to 0.854% in B₃. The highest S-content was found in control, which was identical with B₁. The lowest S content (0.854%) was found in B₃, which was similar with B₂. The result showed that seed-S content was decreased with increasing rate of boron.

The Interaction effect of Nitrogen and boron on S content in seed was significantly influenced (Table 11). Sulphur content in seed was ranged from 0.095% to 1.090%. The maximum sulphur content (1.090%) in seed was found in N₁₅₀B₁ treatment, which was significantly similar with N₁₀₀B₀ treatment and the minimum sulphur content (0.095%) was observed in N₀B₃, which was identical with N₀B₂ treatment.

Nitrogen uptake by seeds

Data on N uptake by seeds was influenced by N fertilization. The effect of N on N uptake by seeds was found positive and significant (Table 12). The N uptake by seed ranged from 21.61 kg/ha observed in control treatment to 57.35 kg/ha recorded in N₁₀₀. The highest N uptake by seeds was found in N₁₀₀ and lowest N uptake by seeds was observed in control treatment. The result revealed that nitrogen uptake by seeds was increased with increasing rate of nitrogen up to 100 kg/ha. Further addition of nitrogen decreased N uptake by seeds.

Nitrogen uptake by seeds was significantly increased with increasing level of B up to 2 kg/ha (Table 13). The N uptake by seeds ranged from 21.61 kg/ha observed in control to 28.62 kg/ha with the application of B @ 2 kg/ha. The highest N uptake obtained from 2 kg B/ha and lowest N uptake by seeds was found in control treatment. Addition of B above 2 kg/ha decreased N uptake by seeds.

The combined effect of N and B on N uptake by seeds was significant (Table 14).

The N uptake by seeds ranged from 21.61 kg/ha observed in control to 75.46 kg/ah recorded in N₁₅₀B₂ treatment. The highest N obtained with N₁₅₀B₂ treatment, which was significantly different with other treatment combinations. The minimum N uptake by seeds was found in control, which was statistically identical with N₀B₁ treatment.

Boron uptake by seeds

There was significant difference among the different treatments of N in respect of B uptake by seeds (Table 12). Boron (B) uptake by seeds (0.632 kg/ha) was significantly increased with increasing level of B up to 1 kg/ha. Further addition of N decreased B uptake by seeds. Minimum B uptake by seeds (0.257 kg/ha) was recorded in N₀ treatment.

There was significant difference among the B treatments in respect of B uptake by seeds except control (Table 13). The B uptake by seeds ranged from 0.257 kg/ha to 0.356 kg/ha. Boron uptake significantly increased with increasing level of B. Application of B @ 3 kg/ha produced the highest B uptake by seeds (0.356 kg/ha), which was not significantly different from the application of B @ 2 kg/ha.

The combined effect of Nitrogen and boron was significant on B uptake by seeds (Table 14). Boron uptake by seeds was ranged from 0.257 kg/ha to 0.72 kg/ha. The maximum boron uptake by seeds was found in N₅₀B₂ treatment, which was significantly different with other treatments and the minimum B uptake by seeds (0.257 kg/ha) was found in control treatment. Both of the two nutrients individually and combinedly have favoured in significant increase N accumulation in seeds.

 Effect of N on nutrient uptake by seeds of mustard

Figure in column, having same letter(s) do not differ significantly at 1% level of significance.

Effect of B on nutrient uptake by seeds of mustard

Figure in column, having same letter(s) do not differ significantly at 1% level of significance.

Phosphorus uptake by seeds

Phosphorus uptake by seeds affected positively by different nitrogen level (Table 12). Phosphorus uptake by seeds increased with increasing level of N up to higher level. Application of N @ 150 kg/ha accumulates the higher P in seeds and the lowest uptake by seeds (4.09 kg/ha) was found in control treatment. The second highest P uptake by seeds was obtained from the application of nitrogen @ 100 kg/ha, which was significantly different from highest and lowest N-level.

Phosphorus uptake by seeds was significantly affected by different boron level (Table 13). The highest p uptake by seeds (5.17 kg/ha) was found in B₂ treatment (@ 2 kg B/ha) and lowest P uptake by seeds (4.03 kg/ha) was found with B₁ treatment (@1 kg B/ha). The second highest P uptake by seeds (4.45 kg/ha) was obtained from the boron level B₃ (@ 3 kg B/ha), which was identical with control treatment. Mahajan et al. (1994) observed that P uptake by ground nut significantly increased due to B (0.5 kg/ha) application.

The treatment combinations of nitrogen and boron significantly influenced the phosphorus uptake by seeds (Table 14). Phosphorus uptake by seeds was ranged from 4.03 kg/ha, observed in N₀B₁ to 9.72 kg/ha, found in N₁₅₀B₃. The highest P uptake by seeds (9.72 kg/ha) was obtained from the treatment N₁₅₀B₃, which was significantly different from all other treatment combinations and the lowest one (4.03 kg/ha) was obtained from N₀B₁, which was identical with N₅₀B₀, N₀B₃, N₀B₂ and control treatment.

Interaction effect of N & B on nutrient uptake by seeds of mustard

Figure in column, having same letter(s) do not differ significantly at 1% level of significance.

Potassium uptake by seed

Effect of N on K uptake by seeds was significantly affected by N treatments (Table 12). Potassium uptake by seeds due to different level of N application ranged from 5.30 kg/ha to 11.62 kg/ha. Application of N @ 100 kg/ha accumulates 119% higher N in seeds over control treatment (without N fertilization).

Potassium uptake by seeds was also significantly influenced by different B level (Table 13). The highest K uptake by seeds (6.92 kg/ha) was found with the B @ 2 kg/ha application, which was significant with other treatments. The lowest K uptake by seeds (5.30 kg/ha) was found in control treatment, which was statistically similar with the application of B @ 1 kg/ha.

Potassium (K) uptake by seeds was significantly affected by the combined effect of nitrogen and boron (Table 14). The treatment combination N₁₅₀B₂ gave thehighest K uptake by seeds (14.05 kg/ha), which was not significantly different from N₁₅₀B₃, N₁₅₀B₁, N₁₅₀B₀, N₁₀₀B₁ and N₁₀₀B₀ treatments. The lowest K uptake by seeds (5.30 kg/ha) was found in control treatment (N₀B₀).

Sulphur uptake by seeds

Data on S uptake by seeds was influenced by different level of N (Table 12). S uptake by seeds ranged from 7.32 kg/ha observed in control to 17.46 kg/ha recorded with the application of N @ 100 kg/ha. Sulphur uptake by seeds increased with increasing level of N up to 100 kg/ha. Further addition of N decreased S uptake by seeds. The lowest S uptake by seeds (7.32 kg/ha) was found in control treatment.

Sulphur uptake by seeds was also influenced by different levels of B (Table 13). Sulphur uptake by seeds ranged from 7.32 kg/ha to 9.29 kg/ha. The highest S uptake by seeds was found with the application of B @ 2 kg/ha, which was significant with other treatments. The lowest S uptake by seeds (7.32 kg/ha) was found in control treatment, which was similar with B₁ treatment (application of B @1 kg/ha).

Interaction effect of Nitrogen and boron on S uptake by seeds was significantly influenced (Table 14). Sulphur uptake by seeds was ranged from 7.32 kg/ha to 19.40 kg/ha. The maximum sulphur uptake by seeds (19.40 kg/ha) was found in N₁₅₀B₂ treatment, which was identical with N₁₅₀B₁ treatment and the minimum sulphur uptake by seeds (7.32 kg/ha) was observed in control, which was identical with N₀B₁ and N₀B₃ treatment

Effect of N and B on protein content in seeds of mustard

Protein content in seeds of mustard was significantly influenced by the effect of N and B (Table 15). The trend of variation in protein content was similar to that of N content because protein content was computed directly from the values of N content in seeds. As before the highest protein content of 24% was recorded in N₁₅₀B₂ being followed by N₁₅₀B₃ (23.9%) treatment having the lowest value of 18.25% in N₀B₀ treatment. Plant receiving N (@ 150 kg/ha) and B (@ 2 kg/ha) accumulated significantly 24.15% higher protein content in seeds as compared to control treatment (N₀B₀). Protein content reduced remarkably in absence of either of the two nutrients (N and B). Even with the minimum dose of any one of the nutrient has led to increased protein content and attained the highest range.

These information reflect that nitrogen and protein content in seeds of mustard may be raised to the satisfactory level by addition of even minimum dose of N and B. Mahajan et al. (1994) reported that protein content increased with increasing levels of B application.

Table 15. Effect of N and B on protein content in seeds of mustard

Figure in column, having same letter(s) do not differ significantly at 1% level of significance.

Nutrient status of post harvest soil

Macro nutrients (N, P, K and S) content in post harvest soil as influenced by different treatments is presented in Table 16. Results showed a marked variation on the N, P, K and S content in the post harvest soil values due to addition of nutrients in soil and their uptake by crops.

Table 16. Effect of N and B on nutrient status of post harvest soil

Figure in column, having same letter(s) do not differ significantly at 1% level of significance.

* = Significant at 5% level of significance

The total N content of the post harvest soil varied from 0.0640% to 0.0887% (Table 16). The highest total N content (0.0887%) was observed in N₁₀₀B₂ treatment being closely followed by N₅₀B₁ (0.877%) and N₁₅₀B₂ (0.084%), which was statistically identical having the lowest value of 0.064% in N₀B₀.

The P content in post harvest soils ranged from 39.33 to 53.33 ppm (Table 16). The highest P content was recorded in N₀B₀ treatment (53.33ppm) and the lowest P content was found in the treatment N₁₀₀B₀. These results indicate that the absence of N and B, phosphorus uptake by plant may be decreased as well as lowest yield was found in N₀B₀ treatment.

The K content of post harvest soils varied from 0.190 to 0.307 meq/100g soil (Table 16).The highest K content (0.307 meq/100g soil) was observed in control treatment N₀B₀, which was not statistically identical to most of other treatments and the lowest K content was recorded in N₁₅₀B₁ treatment.

Available S content of post harvest soils influenced significantly due to different treatments (Table 16). The maximum S content (16.00 ppm) was observed in control treatment and the lowest S content (11.00 ppm) was observed in N₁₅₀B₁ treatment.