Light Transmission and growth analysis of pigeonpea in pigeonpea based cropping systems as influenced by planting methods, geometry and intercrops

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the influence of planting methods, geometry and intercrops on growth and productivity of pigeonpea at College of agriculture, Dharwad, India, during 2016-17. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with twelve treatment combinations and replicated thrice. Sole transplanted pigeonpea at 120cm × 60cm geometry produced significantly higher values of leaf area (88.20 dm2), total dry matter (163.61 g plant-1), leaf area duration (59.7 days) and light interception (90 %) as compared to intercropped transplanted pigeonpea (120cm × 60cm) and direct sown sole pigeonpea as well as intercropping systems at 120cm × 60cm and 90cm × 30cm geometries. Among the intercropping systems, transplanted pigeonpea (120cm x 60cm) intercropping with greengram recorded significantly higher growth parameters. sole direct sown pigeonpea (90 cm × 30 cm) recorded significantly higher net assimilation rate (21.23 g/day/m2) as compared to other intercropping systems and sole pigeonpea.