Weed Threat to Mustard

Recently, Mustard, India’s largest indigenous source of edible oil, is facing a serious threat from the root-parasitic weed Orobanche aegyptiaca, leading to major yield losses and renewed dependence on edible oil imports.

  • Mustard is cultivated on nearly 9 million hectares, mainly in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and West Bengal, and is central to India’s edible oil self-reliance strategy.
  • Orobanche aegyptiaca has emerged as a major “hidden threat”, particularly in Haryana and Rajasthan, causing yield declines.
  • The weed parasitises mustard roots underground, extracting nutrients and water, with damage occurring before visible shoots emerge, making control difficult.
  • Repeated mustard ....
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