Mustard Farming in India

🌿 Hybrid Mustard Farming – Complete Guide for Higher Yield and Profit

Mustard is one of the most important oilseed crops grown in India. Compared to traditional varieties, hybrid mustard gives higher yield, better resistance to diseases, and ensures more profit. In this blog, we will cover every important step for hybrid mustard cultivation – from land preparation to harvesting – in simple Indian English, especially for Indian farmers.

1. Land Preparation – What Type of Soil is Best?

✅ Land Selection

• Sandy loam soil is best for mustard. The field should have proper drainage to avoid water stagnation.

✅ Soil Testing

• Before sowing, get the soil tested to know the right nutrient levels. You can apply through the Government Soil Health Card Portal.

✅ Deep Ploughing

• First ploughing should be done using a soil-turning plough to destroy pests and weeds hiding inside the soil.

✅ Leveling

• After ploughing, level the field so seeds can be sown evenly and water doesn’t stagnate.

✅ Use of Organic Manure

• Apply 2–3 tonnes of cow dung compost or vermi compost per acre to improve soil fertility.

✅ Moisture Management

• Ensure there is proper soil moisture at the time of sowing so seeds can germinate quickly.

✅ Prepare Beds and Ridges

• Make ridges and beds to manage irrigation easily and ensure uniform sowing.

2. Seed Treatment and Selection

✅ Choose Improved Hybrid Seeds

Popular hybrid mustard varieties:

• NRCHB-506
• RH-749
• Pusa Mustard 28 (NPJ-124)
• Hyola-401

✅ Disease-Free Seeds

• Buy certified seeds from trusted sources to avoid poor germination or diseases.

✅ Seed Treatment

• Treat seeds with 0.2% Carbendazim (Bavistin) before sowing.

✅ Organic Seed Treatment

• You can also treat seeds using Trichoderma viride to protect from soil-borne fungi.

✅ Check Before Storage

• Make sure the seeds are clean, dry, and free from pests before storing or sowing.

3. Sowing – Right Time and Method

✅ Best Time for Sowing

• Last week of October to first week of November is ideal for sowing mustard.

✅ Quantity of Seeds

• Use 1.5 to 2 kg of hybrid mustard seeds per acre.

✅ Depth of Sowing

• Sow seeds at a depth of 3–4 cm.

✅ Spacing

• Keep 30 cm distance between rows and 10 cm between plants.

✅ Ridge-Furrow or Bed Method

• Use ridge-furrow method in waterlogged areas. Use flat beds in normal conditions.

4. Irrigation – How Much and How Often?

✅ First Irrigation

• Give light irrigation just after sowing.

✅ Irrigation Schedule

• First: 20–25 days after sowing
• Second: 50–55 days
• Third: 75–80 days (grain formation stage)

✅ Adjust as per Weather

• If winter is moist, reduce irrigation frequency.

✅ Drip or Sprinkler Method

• Use drip irrigation or sprinkler to save water and give nutrients directly to plants.

✅ Over or Under Irrigation

• Too much water causes root rot, and too little water reduces yield.

5. Fertilizer Management

✅ Basal Dose

At sowing time, apply:

• 40 kg Nitrogen
• 20 kg Phosphorus
• 15 kg Potash per acre

✅ Use of Organic Fertilizer

• Along with chemical fertilizers, use compost or vermicompost for long-term soil health.

✅ Stage-Wise Nutrition

• Apply Nitrogen during vegetative stage
• Apply Phosphorus during flowering and seed setting

✅ Micronutrients

• Spray Zinc, Sulphur, and Boron to avoid deficiencies and increase yield.

6. Pest and Disease Control

✅ Common Pests

• Aphids (Mahu)
• Whitefly
• Stem borers

✅ Use of Organic Pesticides

• Spray Neem-based pesticides like Neemastra for eco-friendly protection.

✅ Chemical Control

• Use Imidacloprid 17.8% SL or Thiamethoxam (only in recommended doses).

✅ Preventive Measures

• Avoid water stagnation and monitor fields regularly to catch diseases early.

✅ Field Inspection

• Check the field every 7–10 days for early pest detection.

7. Weed Control

✅ Early Weed Management

• Weeds should be removed within 20–25 days of sowing.

✅ Manual Weeding

• Hand weeding is cost-effective and eco-friendly.

✅ Hoeing

• Use hand hoe (khurpi or kudal) to remove deep-rooted weeds.

✅ Weedicide Spray

• Use Isoproturon 75% WP in proper quantity for chemical control.

✅ Timely Control

• Do regular weeding every 20–25 days to avoid yield loss.

8. Harvesting and Storage

✅ Right Time for Harvesting

• When 75–80% pods turn yellow, it’s time to harvest.

✅ Harvesting Method

• Cut the crop using sickle or harvester machine.

✅ Cleaning

• After harvesting, clean and remove dirt from the mustard pods.

✅ Drying Process

• Dry the crop in sunlight for 4–5 days until moisture reduces to 8–9%.

✅ Storage

• Store dried seeds in jute bags or airtight plastic drums in a dry and cool place.

9. Cost and Profit in Hybrid Mustard Farming

✅ Tips to Increase Profit

• Choose high-yielding hybrid seeds
• Use organic inputs
• Sell in wholesale markets or directly
• Avail government subsidies

10. FAQ on Hybrid Mustard Farming

1. Which hybrid mustard seed is best?
   NRCHB-506 and Hyola-401 are widely recommended.
2. What is the best time to sow mustard?
   Last week of October to first week of November.
3. What is the cost per acre for mustard farming?
   Around ₹7,000 to ₹9,000.
4. How much yield can I get per acre?
   8 to 10 quintals with proper care.
5. When should mustard be harvested?
   When 75% of the pods turn yellow.
6. How many times do I need to irrigate mustard?
   3 to 4 times depending on crop stage.
7. Which pests attack mustard crops?
   Aphids, whiteflies, stem borers.
8. Are organic pesticides effective in mustard?
   Yes, especially neem-based sprays.
9. Which fertilizer should be used in mustard?
   Balanced use of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potash.
10. How to increase mustard yield?
    Use quality seeds, proper irrigation, and timely nutrients.
11. What is the market price of mustard?
    ₹5,000 to ₹6,000 per quintal.
12. Any government scheme for mustard farmers?
    PMFBY (Crop Insurance), RKVY (Subsidy on Inputs), etc.

 🔗 Useful Links

• Soil Health Card Scheme: https://www.soilhealth.dac.gov.in/
• Internal Blog Link: 👉 Read More Farming Guides

✍️ Final Words

Hybrid mustard farming is a great option for Indian farmers who want high yield, better disease resistance, and more profit with low input cost. With improved seed selection, proper fertilization, irrigation, and pest control, you can easily earn ₹30,000–₹50,000 profit per acre.

If you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to share it with your fellow farmers.

Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan! 🇮🇳

👉 Explore detailed guides on other oilseeds farming – click here to read more.