Dr Bendangla Imsong, CTO (Plant Breeding) and Dr Phool Kumari, Senior Scientist cum Head KVK Dimapur, ICAR, Nagaland Centre
Oilseeds in Nagaland include rapeseed/mustard, soybean, linseed, sesame etc. In Nagaland the area under rapeseed/mustard (i.e., mustard‐type oilseed) is about 27,510 ha and production is approximately 28,060 metric tonnes in the state. State‐level yield for “Total Oilseeds” in Nagaland was about ~1,100 kg/ha (2023-24) compared to national ~1,314 kg/ha.
Challenges
• Low productivity: Even though improved varieties exist (e.g., TS-38), average yields are still lower compared to national benchmarks. For total oilseeds, Nagaland yield ~1,100 kg/ha vs national ~1,314 kg/ha.
• Seed system weakness: Low seed replacement ratio (<15%) means many farmers use older/traditional seeds, which reduces potential yield and increases vulnerability.
• Marginal lands & rain-fed farming: Oilseeds are mainly grown on marginal, rain-fed lands in Nagaland. Also the agro‐ecology is varied and sometimes challenging for uniform high yields.
• Timing and duration: For short-duration crops like toria, aligning sowing, harvesting and optimal climatic windows (in Nagaland’s hilly terrain) can be more difficult.
• Infrastructure & extension: Need for better inputs (quality seed, fertilizers, extension) and processing/marketing linkages.
Opportunities
• Improved varieties: Use of improved toria varieties (e.g., TS-38) which can give better oil content, early maturity as being demonstrated under various programmes in Nagaland.
• Seed village / Quality seed production: The Oilseed Village initiative for toria, soybean and linseed is aimed at increasing availability of certified seed locally.
• Government programme support: Under the National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP), the state accepts the implementation of oilseed-development components including rapeseed/mustard, soybean etc.
• Fit for cropping systems: Toria, being short-duration, fits well into cropping systems where farmers may want to do sequential cropping after other crops (e.g., rice, maize) — giving scope in Nagaland’s diverse agro‐ecosystems.
• Value addition and local processing: With improved seed, better management and local processing & marketing, farmers can gain better returns.
Differences between Toria and Mustard
Toria is a short-duration, early-sown, lower-yielding crop, mainly grown where winter duration is short (like Northeast India) while mustard is long-duration, main rabi crop with higher yield, suited to extended winter regions (North & Central India).
1. Botanical Classification
Toria and mustard are entirely different species within the Brassica family, giving them different growth habits and requirements. Toria belongs to Brassica rapa var.toria while mustard belongs to Brassica juncea (Indian mustard) or Brassica nigra (black mustard).
2. Crop Duration
Toria is a short-duration crop which matures in 90–100 days whereas mustard is a long-duration crop which matures in 110–140 days. Toria fits into short-season windows, while mustard requires full rabi-season duration.
3. Sowing Season
While toria is sown early (September to early October) immediately after kharif harvest mustard is sown later (October to November) as the main rabi crop. Toria is an early crop of the cool season; mustard is the main winter crop.
4. Climatic Requirements
Toria grows well in short, cool, and mild climates and mustard requires a longer, cool, dry climate with low humidity. Toria tolerates shorter winter periods; mustard requires a prolonged cool spell for maximum yield.
5. Soil Preferences
Toria prefers light to medium loam, well-drained soils while in case of mustard, it prefers fertile loam to clay-loam soils with good moisture retention. Mustard needs more fertile soils, while toria can grow in lighter soils.
6. Growth Habit and Plant Characteristics
In regard to toria, shorter plant, early branching, early flowering and less robust are the growth habit and plant characteristics. For mustard, they are taller, stronger plants, more vigorous branching, late flowering and better canopy coverage. Mustard has stronger growth and biomass compared to toria’s compact growth.
7. Yield Potential
Mustard gives significantly higher productivity. Lower yield (typically 700–900 kg/ha) in case of toria while in case of mustard it has higher yield (~1000–1500 kg/ha or more under good management).
8. Oil Content
Toria usually has slightly higher oil content (40–42%), though mustard provides higher total oil per hectare due to greater seed yield. The oil content of mustard is ~38–40%.
9. Cropping System Role
Toria fills a gap in cropping calendars; mustard is the main winter oilseed. Toria is mainly used as a catch crop or pre-rabi crop (in double cropping after paddy) whereas mustard is grown as a main rabi oilseed crop.
10. Sensitivity to Moisture and Temperature
Mustard is more resilient to winter stress than toria. Toria is sensitive to frost, requires minimal residual moisture while mustard is more tolerant to cold and performs better under assured soil moisture.
11. Pest and Disease Resistance
Toria is usually more susceptible due to early-season vulnerability. It is more prone to aphids due to early flowering but mustard is moderately resistant but can also be affected by aphids, white rust, and Alternaria blight.
12. Uses
Mustard has broader culinary and industrial uses. It is used for oil extraction, leaves used as vegetable, seeds used as spice and condiment. Toria is mainly for oil extraction and also used for green manure in some places.
