Oilseeds· Brassica juncea

Mustard Growing Guide

A fast-growing cool-season oilseed of the Brassica family, producing pungent seeds used for oil extraction and condiment production. Major oilseed crop in India and a rotation crop in temperate grain systems.

How Long Does Mustard Take to Grow?

Mustard is typically ready to harvest about 110 days after planting.

110

Days to Harvest

765

kg/hectare

low

Water Needs

full sun

Sun Needs

FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Production: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 13 October 2026. https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL Licence: CC-BY-4.0.

Growing Conditions

Temperature

12-25°C optimal

Rainfall

300-700 mm/year

Frost Tolerance

moderate

Drought Tolerance

moderate

Humidity

low tolerance

Heat Tolerance

low

Soil Requirements

Soil Type & pH

Best soil types: loam, sandy loam, silt loam

pH range: 5.5 - 6.5 (optimal: 6)

Drainage: good

Nutrient Needs (N-P-K)

Nitrogen (N)moderate

Phosphorus (P)moderate

Potassium (K)moderate

Planting Guide

Planting Methods

direct seeding, broadcasting

Planting Depth

2 cm

Plant Spacing

10 cm apart, 30 cm rows

Planting Season

autumn, early_spring

Yield & Economics

Yield Range

560 - 12,850 kg/ha

Common Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

mustard aphid
painted bug
sawfly

Common Diseases

alternaria blight
white rust
downy mildew

Use AI crop disease detection to identify issues early and prevent crop losses.

Growing Tips

Apply first irrigation at rosette stage (30-35 DAS) and second at pod-filling for optimal oil content.

Mustard is an effective biofumigant cover crop -- incorporate green biomass to suppress soilborne pathogens.

Harvest when 75% of pods turn yellowish-brown; delayed harvest increases shattering losses.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Mustard take to grow?

Mustard typically takes 110 days from planting to harvest. Seeds germinate in about 5 days. The best planting season is autumn, early_spring.

What soil does Mustard need?

Mustard grows best in loam, sandy loam, silt loam soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5. Good drainage is required.

What temperature does Mustard need?

Mustard grows best at 12-25°C. Frost tolerance: moderate. Heat tolerance: low.

What is the expected yield for Mustard?

Across 16 countries with grounded data, reported national yields for Mustard range from 560 to 12,850 kg/hectare, with a median of 765. These are national statistics, not a best-case figure — an individual farm's yield depends on variety, climate, soil and management.