Enhancing Oilseed Productivity in the Temperate Hill Ecology of Jammu and Kashmir: A Large-Scale Evaluation of Shalimar Sarson-2 through Frontline Demonstrations

Abstract

In India’s diverse agricultural landscape, rapeseed-mustard crops are a critical contributor to oilseed production, with Jammu and Kashmir serving as a significant hub for Brown Sarson (Brassica rapa L.). Despite its importance, regional yields often fall below their potential due to inadequate agronomic management and the use of unsuitable varieties. To address this gap, a series of 200 site-specific Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs) were implemented across seven diverse districts of the Kashmir Valley during the 2024-25 cropping season. This study evaluated the performance of the high-yielding variety Shalimar Sarson 2 under Improved Practices (IP) against traditional Farmer Practices (FP). Statistical analysis revealed that Shalimar Sarson 2 significantly outperformed local varieties, achieving a mean yield of 14.98 q/ha compared to 12.79 q/ha for the local check, a 17.1% increase. The yield improvement was highly significant (p < 0.001) with a Cohen’s d of 4.682, indicating a "Very Large Effect" of the technical intervention. While significant district-wise variation was observed (p< 0.001), with the highest yields recorded in Pulwama and Budgam (15.8 q/ha), the improved variety maintained a stable yield advantage across all locations. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.92) suggests that while Shalimar Sarson 2 responds effectively to favorable environmental conditions alongside local varieties, it operates at a consistently higher production threshold. The results demonstrate that adopting Shalimar Sarson 2, combined with recommended package of practices, can effectively bridge the extension gap and enhance regional oilseed productivity. These findings strongly support the large-scale promotion of this variety to ensure sustainable oilseed production in Kashmir Valley.