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Fertilizer Use in Mustard
Mustard responds to nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer in a manner similar to small grains. Avoid using more than 10 pounds per acre actual N with the seed as germination injury can occur. Some growers mix low rates of phosphorus fertilizer (20 pounds P2O5) with mustard seed and plant them together. Potash is rarely needed to increase mustard yields. Sulphur deficiency may occur in many soils with low organic matter and or in a soil with a coarse textured subsoil that allows leaching to readily occur. A soil test is recommended to establish the available sulphur status of fields but they do not currently reliably indicate plant response. In areas suspected to be very low in sulphur, an application of 20 lbs per acre of sulphur will alleviate deficiency symptoms. Mustard requires approximately twice the amount of sulphur that cereals do. A minor sulphur deficiency is usually not detected visually but can result in significant yield reductions. Major sulphur deficiency symptoms are most visible on the newest leaves and start with yellowing. Leaves showing more severe deficiency symptoms may be cupped shaped with purple coloration of the leaves. Mustard yields are much lower than Canola in ND conditions and sulphur deficiency has not been noted in past years in ND. Manitoba has noted sulphur problems in some fields over the years of Mustard production in the province. Consult NDSU Extension circular SF-1122 at http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/plantsci/soilfert/sf1122w.htm for mustard fertilization recommendations based on soil tests.
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