Abstract
Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) is grown globally for its protein-rich seed. However, low availability of soil zinc (Zn) adversely affects the seed yield of pigeonpea. The present study was therefore conducted to assess the Zn efficiency of pigeonpea genotypes based on seed yield and seed Zn uptake efficiency. Field experiments were conducted at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research–Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, India with twenty different pigeonpea genotypes and two levels of Zn application under a split-plot design. The two levels of Zn were low (without application of Zn fertilizer) and high (with application of 20 kg Zn ha−1 (as ZnSO4∙7H2O) as basal soil application, in conjunction with three foliar sprays of 0.50% (w/v) ZnSO4∙7H2O aqueous solution) (with 0.25% lime as neutralizing agent) at flowering, pod formation, and pod filling stages). Application of Zn improved plant height, branches plant−1, pods plant−1, seeds pod−1, and 100 seed weight of pigeonpea genotypes differently. The mean seed yield, seed Zn concentration, and seed Zn uptake of the genotypes increased from 1.71 to 2.12 t ha−1, 32.4 to 43.0 mg kg−1, and 54.9 to 90.6 g ha−1, respectively, with application of Zn. The seed yield efficiency index (SYEI) and Zn uptake efficiency index (ZUEI) of pigeonpea genotypes varied from 67.0 to 92.5 and from 47.0 to 69.9, respectively. Based on SYEI and ZUEI, the genotypes were classified as efficient and responsive (Virsa Arhar-1, GT-1, GT-101, SKNP 05-05, BDN-2, AAUT 2007-04, BSMR 853, T 15-15, DT 23, Pusa 9), efficient and non-responsive (ICPL 87119, PKV Trombay), inefficient and responsive (AKT 8811, Hisar Paras), and inefficient and non-responsive (AAUT 2007-10, JKM 7, Hisar Manak, C 11, Hisar HO2-60, GAUT 93-17). The efficient and responsive genotypes are the most useful as they yield well under low soil Zn conditions and also respond to Zn fertilizer application. The inefficient and responsive genotypes could be utilized for plant breeding programs by plant breeders for identification and utilization of responsive traits.
Highlights
Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.), a protein rich legume crop, is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world
The analysis of variance (ANOVA) for plant height, branches plant−1, pods plant−1, seeds pod−1, 100 seed weight, seed yield, seed Zn concentration, and seed Zn uptake of pigeonpea genotypes indicated a significant effect of Zn treatments and pigeonpea genotypes in both years (Table 1)
The genotypes could be classified into four groups, namely, efficient and responsive, inefficient and responsive, inefficient and non-responsive, and efficient and non-responsive
Summary
Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.), a protein rich legume crop, is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is a vital grain legume crop in several countries of. Other major pigeonpea producing countries are Myanmar, Tanzania, Malawi, Kenya, and Uganda. In India, pigeonpea is cultivated in an area of 3.96 million ha [1] located mainly in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Andhra. It is the second largest pulse crop in India and the dried split-seeds are consumed by the majority of the Indian population as a source of protein
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