Floral behaviour and yield under different sowing schedules and varieties of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) for late onset of monsoon and rabi pigeonpea in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Redgram variety namely CO6 sown during Aug I has recorded significantly higher grain yield (596 kg/ha) followed by Sep I (401 kg/ha). CO (Rg) 7 has recorded higher grain yield during Sep II (261 kg/ha) and Sep I (248 kg/ha) over August sowing. CO (Rg) 8 has recorded higher grain yield during Sep I sowing (225 kg/ha) however recorded very lesser yield over CO6. On overall analyzing the floral behavior of all the varieties it was observed that all the three varieties can be sown up to Sep II. Flowering was observed up to OCT I sowing, No flowering was observed in OCT II until Feb’18 (150 DAS). During OCT I, flowering was observed in CO 6 and CO (RG) 7 whereas CO (Rg) 8 floral behavior was disturbed and remain stunted. Hence pigeonpea could not be taken during rabi (Oct II) in Tamil Nadu for not flowering and also lesser yield especially in CO (Rg) 8.