Growth, phenology and yield of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) as affected by intercropping systems and application of nutrients level to intercrops

Abstract

An experiment was carried out during kharif season for the two consecutive years (2015 and 2016) at Students Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana to study the performance of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] as influenced by intercropping systems and application of different nutrients levels to intercrops. Plant height, dry matter accumulation and seed yield of pigeonpea were not influenced by different intercropping systems and nutrients levels applied to intercrops. Pigeonpea equivalent yield was significantly affected by intercropping systems and nutrients levels applied to intercrops. Among the different intercropping systems and planting patterns, maximum pigeonpea equivalent yield of 18.4 and 19 q/ha was recorded with pigeonpea (50 x 25 cm) + maize fodder intercropping system during 2015 and 2016, respectively, which was statistically superior than all other intercropping systems with different planting patterns. The application of 100% recommended dose of nutrients to the intercrops resulted in the significantly higher pigeonpea equivalent yield (16.3 and 17.3 q/ha) than the 50% recommended dose (14.9 and 16 q/ha) and control (13.7 and 14.4 q/ha) during both the years.

Keywords

• Growth parameters
• Intercropping system
• Pigeonpea equivalent yield
• Seed yield