Agronomic fortification of zinc enhances the growth, yield and quality of different genotypes of Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) on swell-shrink soil

Abstract

The field experiment entitled “Agronomic fortification of zinc enhances the growth, yield and quality of different genotypes of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) on swell – shrink soil” was conducted during Kharif season 2022-23 at Pigeon pea Breeding Field, Central Research Station, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. The experiment was laid out in Split-Plot Design and fifteen treatments combination comprised of five main-plots (pigeon pea genotypes) and three sub-plots (zinc levels). The pigeon pea genotypes were AKTE 1905(G1), AKTE 1904(G2), AKTE 16-12(G3), AKTE 19-01(G4) and AKT 8811(G5). The zinc levels were recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (Z0), RDF with soil application of Zn @ 5 kg Zn ha-1 at the time of sowing (Z1) and RDF with foliar spraying of ZnSO4 @ 0.5% at branching and flowering stage (Z2). The results of the present investigation in interaction between genotypes and zinc levels revealed that significantly highest seed yield (24.73 q ha-1) of AKTE 1905 and straw yield 52.83(q ha-1) of AKTE 16-12 was recorded in combination with the soil application of 5 kg Zn ha-1 through ZnSO4 at the time of sowing. The interaction between different genotypes and zinc levels on growth and quality parameters are non-significant.