Mustard
Mustard (Rai/Sarso) Farming Guide for the Rabi Season
How to grow mustard (rai/sarso) in the rabi season in Gujarat and India — soil, sowing time, low seed rate, irrigation and the best research mustard seed for high oil-yield.
Updated Fri May 22
Mustard (rai/sarso) is a leading rabi oilseed across northern and western India — a short-season, water-efficient crop that fits neatly into winter rotations and feeds a strong edible-oil market. Grown well, mustard is one of the most reliable oilseed options for the rabi season.
Why grow mustard
Mustard is efficient and adaptable: it has broad adaptation, branches well, and uses water and nutrients efficiently, making it a low-input, dependable rabi crop. It also breaks cereal disease cycles when rotated with wheat, improving the health of the whole rotation.
Soil and field preparation
Mustard prefers well-drained fertile loam to light clay soils. Prepare a fine, well-levelled seedbed — because the seed is tiny, a clod-free surface and good seed-to-soil contact are essential for even germination.
Sowing time and seed rate
- Season: Rabi, October–November
- Seed rate: just 3.5–5.0 kg/ha
Timely sowing matters: sow within the October–November window so that flowering and pod filling happen before the late-season heat. The low seed rate is deliberate — mustard branches widely, and over-thick stands reduce per-plant branching and yield. Sow shallow and thin to recommended spacing.
Irrigation and nutrition
Mustard is relatively water-efficient but responds to one or two well-timed irrigations, especially around flowering and pod development. Apply a balanced fertiliser dose based on a soil test; mustard particularly responds to adequate nutrition for strong branching and oil content.
The right mustard seed
- Mishva (Research Mustard) — research mustard line for rabi oilseed production with broad adaptation, good branching and efficient performance.
The short version
Sow mustard on time in October–November on well-drained loam, keep the seed rate low (3.5–5 kg/ha) for strong branching, irrigate around flowering and pod fill, and feed it in balance. A timely, well-spaced mustard crop is one of the most dependable rabi oilseeds you can grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is mustard sown?+
Mustard is a rabi (winter) oilseed, sown in October–November. Timely sowing in this window is important to escape late-season heat during pod filling.
What is the seed rate for mustard?+
Mustard needs a very low seed rate of about 3.5–5.0 kg/ha because the seed is small and the crop branches widely. Thin sowing and proper spacing give better branching and yield.
What soil is best for mustard?+
Well-drained fertile loam to light clay soils suit mustard best. It needs good drainage and responds well to balanced nutrition and timely irrigation.
Recommended Varsha Seeds products
Need help choosing the right seeds?
Talk to the Varsha Seeds team for dealer enquiries, product recommendations and region-specific farming guidance.