Assessment of Sowing Time and Cultivars on Growth, Development and Yield Parameters of Pigeonpea

Abstract

Background: Pigeonpea, a nutritious crop grown in wide range of environmental condition both in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Time of sowing, a non- monetary input, ensures the complete harmony between vegetative and reproductive phases on one hand whereas on the other hand it also maintain the rhythm of the climate with crop. Further cultivars under suitable environment conditions perform to its full potential and play a crucial role in its overall yield. Methods: A field experiment was conducted at Department of Agricultural Meteorology, CCSHAU, Hisar, during Kharif season 2017 to evaluate the effect of sowing time and cultivars on growth, development and yield parameters of pigeonpea. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design. Result: Investigation revealed that leaf area index (LAI) and dry matter significantly decreased with delay in sowing at all growth intervals and found higher in crop sown on first fortnight of May. Among varieties, UPAS-120 produced higher LAI and dry matter at all growth intervals followed by Paras and Manak. Crop sown on first fortnight of May produced highest number of primary branches, secondary branches and pods per plant. Also there was a significant increase in seeds per pod, test weight, seed yield, biological yield and harvest index followed by first fortnight of June and second fortnight of June sown crops.