Initial growth of two varieties of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) in the tropics of Ecuador

Abstract

The objective was to assess the production and efficiency of the initial growth of pigeon pea or guandul ( Cajanus cajan) var. Negro and EGV22 with and without nitrogen fertilizing. The plants were planted in plastic bags during summer 2012. Two nitrogen fertilization treatments were applied at 90 d of germination (+N and -N). The variables were: number of nodules (NN), length of root (LR), weight of nodules (WN), height of plant (HP), total dry matter (TDM), leaf area index (LAI), specific leaf area (SLA), and rate of assimilation (RA), relative rate of growth (RRG) and rate of crop growth (RCG). A full-randomized experimental design was used with a factorial arrangement 2 x 2 and regression analysis. Differences were observed (P < 0.05) among varieties for NN, HP, so and RCG, where the highest average HP was obtained by EGV22 variety. For the nitrogen factor, its application decreased (P < 0.05) NN, WN, and HP. It is concluded that Negro variety can be used in the production systems since it has great TDM and the best establishment for the environmental conditions of Ecuador tropic.