About the crop

On the oilseed map of the world, India occupies a prominent position, both with regard to acreage and production. Rapeseed and mustard are the most important sources of edible oil. The oil content of the seeds of different forms ranges from 30 to 48 percent. The oil is mainly used as a cooking medium in northern India and cannot be easily replaced by other edible oils. The seeds and oil are used as a condiment in preparation of pickles and for flavoring curries and vegetables. The oil cake of Saison is mostly used as cattle feed. The leaves of green young plants are used as green vegetables.

Indian mustard is cultivated in the states of Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. In which Rajasthan production is near about 50% of all India production.

It is a rabi season crop, which requires cool, dry weather and bright sunlight. The crop ma is grown in rainfed conditions but higher yields are obtained under irrigated conditions. The crop grows well in the areas where the annual rainfall ranges between 75 to 100 cm. Saison and taramira prefer low rainfall areas. These crops grow well in sandy loan to loam. Raya may be grown on Very light soils. The raya crop in the state is sown mostly from September to October, however extending even to December. The time of sowing in mixed cropping pattern mostly depends upon the sowing of the main crop. Mid October to mid November are ideal for mustard sowing.