From Seed to Harvest: A Complete Guide to Mustard Farming in India

Table of Contents

• Introduction to Mustard Farming
• Different varieties of Mustard found in India
• Top Mustard Producing States
• What is the Cultivation Process for Mustard in India?
  • Climate and Soil
  • Land Preparation
  • Seed Treatment and Sowing
  • Fertilizer Management
  • Irrigation and Intercultural Operations
  • Pest & Disease Management
  • Mustard Harvesting

Introduction to Mustard Farming

Mustard is one of the oldest cultivated crops in human history. It is a plant species from the Brassicaceae flowering family. In India, mustard-rapeseed (Rai) is the most important oilseed crop after groundnuts, accounting for approximately 25% of total oilseed production. Of the nine oilseed crops grown in the country, only seven are edible. Mustard being one of them.

The crop has become an important source of revenue for small and marginal farmers in the country. The crop is heavily grown in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, West Bengal, Assam, and Gujarat. It is a spice commonly used in Indian families for food and medicine, making its production essential to the agricultural economy.

Different Varieties of Mustard Produced in India

Rapeseed mustard consists of eight species which includes, Indian mustard, toria, yellow sarson, brown sarson, gobhi sarson, karan rai, black mustard, and taramira. Here are some of the mustard varieties grown in different regions of India

Top Mustard Producing States

Here’s are some of the top mustards producing states according to desagri agricultural statistics of 2022-2023

What is the Cultivation Process for Mustard in India?

Mustard is a major cash crop in many parts of India, where a large portion of the rural population works in agriculture, as farmers or agricultural labourers. For this reason, farmers must prioritise correct cultivation practices to achieve high crop yields.

Let’s explore some key practices required for healthy and productive mustard farming.

Climate and Soil

Mustard is a crop grown during the winter months, from September to October and from February to March. The best temperature range for growing mustard is usually between 10°C and 25°C. They can also grow well in tropical or temperate climates. Mustard crops prefer a dry climate during their growing stage and slightly warmer conditions when they are forming seeds. Extreme heat or frost, prolonged rain, and waterlogging can have a negative impact. The ideal rainfall requirement for mustard is 350 to 400 mm.  They typically require well-aerated, low-water-logged soil. Neutral soil is necessary, however slightly saline/alkaline soil is also tolerable.

Land Preparation

Proper land preparation is important to ensure good germination and plant growth of mustard crops. The field should be kept clean, weed-free, and well-tilled with at least two plowings to create a fine seedbed. Mustard crops require a fine, firm, moist seedbed so that adequate moisture is assured for germinating seeds. Start with one pre-sowing irrigation. The field should be given a deep ploughing in the middle of September. Weeds and stubbles should be removed from the field.

Seed Treatment & Sowing

Before sowing, treat seeds with Thiram or Captan (2.5 g per kg of seed). This is to protect them against fungal infections. In white rust-prone locations, apply Apron 35SD (6 g per kg) to seeds. This significantly improves seed health and assures greater crop development. Sowing rate should be 5-6 kg of seed per hectare. The sowing depth should range from 2.0 to 3.0 cm. You can scatter the seeds manually or use a seed drill to ensure even spacing.

Fertilizer Management

Proper fertilizer management is important to ensure good yield results and improve the quality of mustard.

To maintain soil fertility, farmers apply well-composted farmyard manure (FYM) before sowing. Spray micronutrients regularly to improve plant health and increase yield.

Irrigation and Interculture Operations

The mustard field should be well irrigated before sowing to ensure adequate moisture for seed germination.  Since it is a crop that grows in semi-arid regions, water management plays an important role in its success. Mustard requires water at different stages of growth:

• Crown Root Initiation (CRI) Stage (20-25 days after sowing)
• Flowering Stage (40-45 days after sowing)
• Pod formation stage (65-75 days after sowing)

Irrigation Schedule:

Interculture Operations

Interculture comprises all the operations that are carried out between sowing and harvesting to ensure that the mustard crops grow healthy. These activities may include: Weeding, which is done manually, using hoes or sickles or with the help of chemicals in the form of selective herbicides. Hoeing helps loosen the soil around the plants to enhances aeration. Thinning involves getting rid of some of the seedlings in order to maintain the correct distance between plants, usually done when the plants are still young. And lastly, Mulching is the application of materials like crop residues, straws, or plastic mulch on the soil surface to preserve moisture and regulates the temperature of the soil.

Pest & Disease Management

Mustard Harvesting

Mustard seeds usually take 90 - 120 days to mature, this depends on the type of mustard and climate. The crop should be harvested when the pods turn from green to yellow or brown, and the seeds become firm. Harvesting can be done with sickles, by hand or with a combine harvester. After cutting the crop, lay them on the ground for 5-7 days to dry in the sun. This is to make sure that the seeds contain do not retain moisture and avoid fungal growth.

When the plants are dry, they are beaten up to separate the seeds from the pods by hand or in a threshing machine. They are fanned to get rid of the husk, dust, and other particles of the plant. The clean mustard seeds are dried more until the moisture content reduced. They are then put into gunny bags and kept in a cool, dry place to avoid pests.