On farm abiotic stress management in pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and its impact on yield, economics and soil properties

Abstract

The major abiotic stress limiting productivity of pigeon pea includes undulated topography, waterlogging, drought, frost, poor soil fertility. Management techniques of abiotic stresses significantly increased yield, net profit and B:C ratio as compared to farmers practice (FP). Adoption of abiotic stresses resulted in an increase of grain yield by 7.2 to 38.5% over FP. Major technological impact on grain yield compared to FP was in order: broad bed furrow (BBF) sowing method (38.5%) > nutrient management (21.0%) > seed treatment (14.9%) > short duration cultivar (7.3%) > precision land shaping (PLS) method (7.2%). Maximum additional cost on nutrient management was 2,360 ha-1 and it was minimum on seed treatment (265 ha-1), whereas saving due to BBF was .1,554 ha-1 and maximum additional net returns were obtained with BBF (30,551 ha-1) and minimum with PLS (4,804 ha-1) compared to FP. Maximum additional energy used was on nutrient management and minimum on seed treatment, whereas energy saved under BBF compared to FP. Higher additional net energy gain was with BBF followed by nutrient management, seed treatment, PLS and short duration cultivar over FP. PLS, BBF, seed treatment and nutrient management significantly increased infiltration rate and available N, P, K, S and Zn but decreased bulk density. Management of abiotic stresses by proper technologies increased pigeon pea production three times compared to average productivity of the country, resulted in increased economic benefits, energy productivity and improved soil physicochemical properties.