Yield and yield attributes of hybrid pigeonpea (ICPH 2671) grown for seed purpose as influenced by plant density and irrigation

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted during 2009–10 and 2010–11 cropping seasons in Vertisols at Patancheru, AP, India to evaluate the agronomic viability for large-scale seeds production of hybrid pigeonpea (ICPH 2671) from a cytoplasmic male-sterile (CMS) line ICPA 2043. The experimental treatments include two row ratio (4 male sterile:1 male fertile and 3 male-sterile:1 male fertile), two row spacings (150 cm and 75 cm), two intra row spacing's (50 cm and 30 cm), and two irrigation frequencies (14 and 21 days intervals). Results revealed that no significant difference was noticed during both years of study on the interactive effects of row ratio + spacing, row ratio + irrigation, spacing + irrigation, and row ratio + spacing + irrigation. Individual plants at wider spacing showed significant positive effect on various agronomic traits but this did not translate into increased seed yield due to plant density. However, there was a significant difference on the effect of row ratio and spacing. Row ratio of 4:1 produced the highest seed yield (1306 kg/ha) due to more number of rows of male sterile lines than in 3:1. Aplant spacing of 75 cm x 30 cm provided the highest seed yield (3255 kg/ha) as compared to the other treatments. The study also revealed that the application of 2 to 3 irrigations during flower initiation till pod development is required to develop a good seed yield