At the outset of spring, blooming mustard fields spread sight of revival across Kashmir, thus ending wintry deadlock. Exuding and alluring fragrance, mustard fields drive tourists in droves to visit golden vale. With spring no longer far behind, Bilal Bahadur captures valley draped in yellow
The most interesting feature of spring season is mustard bloom.
The mustard crop is sown in September-October. As temperatures rise after winter, mustard crop blossoms and the farm is harvested towards the end of May.
Mustard has a high oil content. Researches reveal its oil can be used to produce biodiesel, a renewable liquid fuel similar to diesel fuel.
The leftover meal after pressing out the oil has also been found to be an effective pesticide.
Mustard plants are any of several plant species. Their seed is used as a spice.
The leaves and swollen leaf stems of mustard plants are also used, as greens, or potherbs.
Mustard plants are easy and inexpensive to grow; they flourish on many different types of soil.
Mustard plants suffer from unusually few insect pests or plant diseases, and tolerate extremes of weather without serious harm.
With tiny seeds, Mustard can be used as a condiment.
The mustard plant is in no way related to mustard gas, an agent for chemical warfare.
Mustard seed plants are normally grown from seed but can be grown from purchased seedlings as well.
Plant the mustard seed about three weeks before the last frost date.