Development of Weather based “Weekly Thumb Rules” for Potential Productivity of Mustard Crop in Punjab

Abstract

Agriculture is sensitive to short-term changes in weather and to seasonal, annual and longer-term variations in climate. Weather variability is an important abiotic stress, which is most harmful as it affects the growth and productivity of crops, resulting in a yield reduction from 10% to 100%. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of abiotic stresses on mustard (Brassica campestris L.) yield and to formulate the weather based “Weekly Thumb Rule Models” for potential yield of mustard crop in Punjab, which are based on long term meteorological for the period of 2003-2013. The analysis of meteorological parameters at different locations revealed flowering and pod formation stage of mustard are very critical stages. The range of maximum temperature for the potential productivity of mustard crop during flowering stage in sub-mountainous, central and south western Punjab is 21.3- 26.6oC, 20.0-27.3 oC and 20.5-22.2 oC, respectively. Similarly, the range of maximum temperature for the potential productivity of mustard crop during pod formation stage in sub-mountainous, central and south western Punjab is 11.3-16.7oC, 13.6-20.4oC and 13.2-18.7oC, respectively. The minimum temperature for the potential productivity of mustard crop during flowering stage in sub-mountainous, central and south western Punjab is 4.0-11.0oC, 4.3- 11.8oC and 4.6-6.7oC, respectively and during pod formation stage the range of minimum temperature in submountainous, central and south western Punjab is 3.8-4.9 oC, 0.9-7.2 oC and 4.7-5.6 oC, respectively These models can be used for agro-advisory service and for prediction of potential crop yield at 5 locations in Punjab state. Keywords: Thumb rules, Mustard crop, Models, Agro-advisory, Weather parameters.