Growth Analysis in Relation to Pigeonpea Improvement

Abstract

AbstractAn attempt was made to assess possible constraints to higher production, with respect to partitioning of total dry matter to reproductive sinks in early pigeonpea. Growth, dry matter accumulation and yield components were determined in four diverse genotypes under four dates of sowing and different plant densities. Data on growth characteristics, dry matter accumulation (vegetative and reproductive) were obtained for three sowings, while the data on yield components were obtained for two dates of sowing. Growth analysis showed that the total dry matter was low upto 30 days after sowing and increased linearly upto 120 days. Coversely, LAD was high for the first 30 days and reduced at later stages of growth. The mean LAI of genotypes did not very much at initial stage of growth. However, it has given interesting picture during 70 to 90 days of growth. The higher biological yield and seed yield were attributable to high LAI and LAD coupled with thick stem, more effective branches, more pods per plant and larger raceme length. Harvest index was the maximum with increased plant populations in all sowings. Indeterminate varieties under high plant density and narrow row spacing (50 cm) developed a large leaf area and were presumably able to make better use of light. Growth and branching of individual plants were reduced at the higher plant population, but on per unit basis more dry matter was produced. It is suggested that breeding should be concentrated to improve an inability to accumulate adequate vegetative dry matter for the maintenance and filling of pods, may force the plant to continue vegetative production into the reproductive dry matter to support production of ultimate seed yield.