Quality attributes and economics of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) influenced by irrigation and plant geometry

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted to know Quality attributes and economics of pigeon pea (cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) influenced by irrigation and plant geometry. A field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Farm, College of Agriculture, Parbhani during kharif season of 2012-13 and 2013-14. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three main plot treatments and four sub plot treatments. The main plot treatments were irrigation schedules as rainfed (no irrigation), two irrigations (at bud initiation and pod development stage) and three irrigations (at bud initiation, flowering and pod development stage). Sub plot treatments were four plant geometries i.e. 120 x 45 cm, 60-120 x 60 cm, 75-150 x 45 cm and 90-180 x 45 cm. Gross monetary returns (Rs. ha-1), net monetary returns (Rs ha-1) and benefit to cost ratio were significantly higher with application of three irrigation (I2) treatment than two irrigation (I1) and rainfed pigeon pea (I0). Gross monetary returns (Rs ha-1), net monetary returns (Rs ha-1) and benefit to cost ratio were higher with plant geometry of 75-150 x 45 cm than any other due to higher plant population ha-1. Different plant geometries did not show any significant impact on quality parameters like protein content (%) and test weight (g) during both the years of experimentation. Treatment combination of three irrigations (I2) with 75-150 x 45 cm plant geometry recorded significantly higher net monetary returns (Rs ha-1) and benefit to cost ratio during both the years.