Nano sulphur can solve low mustard yield issue: Scientist

Can extensive use of nano sulphur solve India's perennial problem of low oilseed yields, which is a major hindrance in the country's journey towards self-sufficiency?

- SANJEEB MUKHERJEE

Well, scientists from TERI claim it can.

TERI scientists claim that the nano sulphur developed by them increases yield of mustard by 30-40 per cent from 1,156 kilogram (kg) per acre (with regular practice) to 1,559 kg per acre (around 3.7 tonnes per hectare) and increases oil content by 28-30 per cent. DMH-11, the genetically-modified mustard, increases average per hectare yield by 10-40 per cent in various multi-site trials conducted so far.

Existing mustard varieties give an average per hectare yield of around 1-1.8 tonne, reports show.

"Our research found nano sulphur to give similar yield enhancement as DMH-11 using conventional (non genetically-modified) varieties," Pushpalata Singh, associate director, nano commercial production at TERI told Business Standard.