Introduction to major field crops (1+1)

Importance

The seed contains oil varies from 37 to 49 per cent. The seed and oilare used as condiment in the preparation of pickles and for flavouringcurries and vegetables. The oil is mainly used for cookingand frying in northern India. Oil is also used in preparing vegetable ghee, hair oil, medicines, soap, lubricating oil, greases and in tanning industries. The seed and oil have a peculiar pungency. This pungency in oil is due to presence of a glucosidesinigrin.The leaves of young plantsare used as green vegetablecommonly called sarsonkasaag as they supply enough sulphur and minerals in the diet.

Fig: Mustard seeds. Fig: Mustard leaf used as vegetable.

Green stems and leaves are a good source of green fodder for cattle. The oil cake left after extraction is utilized as cattle feed and manure. The oil cake contains 25-30percent crude protein, 5.0percent nitrogen, 1.8-2.0percent phosphorus and1.0- 1.2percent potassium. However, due to its pungency and less palatability animals can consume only small amounts.