Feasibility of different pulse crops under Jatropha curcas L

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out at the Taluka Seed Farm, Mangrol, Navsari Agricultural University during the Rabi season 2009. The treatments involving three years old Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) (C1) and open field condition (C0) as growing conditions and five pulse crops P1 (Vigna radiata L.), P2 (Vigna sinensis L.), P3 (Vigna mungo L.), P4 (Dolichos lablab L.) and P5 (Cajanas cajan L.) were tried in factorial completely randomized design with four replications. Significantly higher fresh weight of plant (76.17 g), number of branches per plant (10.35), number of pods per plant (16.43), number of grains per pod (10.45), grain yield per plant (6.86 g), grain yield per plot (713.61 g) and grain yield per hectare (945.01 kg) were recorded in open condition as compared to inter-cropping with Jatropha. Moreover, plant height was noted significantly maximum under Jatropha (67.33 cm). In case of different pulse crops, significantly maximum plant height (85.04 cm), fresh weight of plant (103.49 g), number of branches per plant (14.23) and number of pods per plant (18.91) were reported in P5 (Cajanas cajan L.), whereas number of grains per pod (17.37) and grain yield per plant (7.13 g) were noted in P3 (Vigna mungo L.). Moreover, grain yield per plot (986.29 g) and grain yield per hectare (1177.26 kg) were observed in P1 (Vigna radiata L.). Pulse crops grown in open condition gave higher net realization as compared to pulse crops grown under Jatropha. Economically, among five pulse crops under investigation, Greengram gave higher returns as compared to others. Jatropha found more suitable with Indian bean. Jatropha seed yield may be economical if the age of plantation is five years or more.