SEASONAL VARIATION OF GROWTH AND YIELD PERFORMANCE OF MUSTARD (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss) GENOTYPES IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

Seasonal variations affect growth and yield of a crop, primarily by changing its phenological developmental processes. A study was conducted to establish the relationship between growth, yield and their seasonal variations using ten mustard accessions (AC 501, 515, 580, 790, 1099, 1814, 2122, 5088, 7788 and 8831). The field study was conducted in a site at Nagollagama in Kurunegala District during two growing seasons, Maha and Yala. There was a significant variation in agronomic and phenological characters in different mustard accessions between two seasons, Maha and Yala, and among the accessions (p ≤ 0.05). Plant growth was affected by variations in climatic conditions. Soil moisture was unlimited and comparatively steady in Maha, but significantly fluctuated during Yala. Difference in soil nutrients, temperature and relative humidity during two seasons also contributed the variation in plant growth. Significantly high yields were obtained from all mustard accessions during the Maha season. There is a substantial variability of yield potential in different mustard genotypes in studied. Three mustard accessions (AC 580, AC 5088 and AC 7788) produced significantly higher yield in Maha and AC 7788 produced highest yield in Yala season as well, showing adaptability to seasonal variations.