Impact of sowing dates and nutrient levels on growth attributes of toria (Brassica campestris var. toria) in trans-gangetic region of Punjab

The present investigation was carried out at the experimental farm, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, Punjab during 2021-22. The experiment was laid out in a Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with 3 dates of sowing i.e. D1 (1st October), D2 (15th October) and D3 (30th October) and 4 different levels of fertilizer i.e.75 % RDF, 100 % RDF, 125 % RDF and 150 % RDF altogether 12 treatment combinations of dates of sowing and fertilizer levels replicated thrice. Among different temporal dynamics (sowing dates), D1 (1st October) recorded maximum values for plant height (151.20 cm), primary branches (10.33) and Secondary branches (8.91), Leaf area (64.28 cm2), Fresh weight (242.7 g), Dry weight (28.45 g), CGR (0.558 g m-2day-1), RGR (1.39 g-1 g-1day-1). Regarding the effect of various nutrient levels, the maximum plant height (128.05cm), the number of primary and secondary branches (10.44, 8.44), Leaf area (64.67 cm2), Fresh and dry weight (253.16 g, 29.55 g), CGR (0.581 g m-2day-1), RGR (1.42 g-1 g-1day-1) were recorded in the application of 100% RDF. The interaction of 1st DOS (1st October) × 100% RDF recorded maximum values in terms of most of the growth parameters of commercial importance. So it can be concluded that for better growth and development the toria plants should be sown on 1st October with the application of 100% RDF.