Growth and yield of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] as influenced by growth retardants and sowing dates
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Date
2017
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
The present study entitled “Growth and yield of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] as
influenced by growth retardants and sowing dates” was carried out at Student’s Research Farm,
Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during kharif 2016. The field
experiment comprising of sixteen treatments viz., control, water spray, MH @ 200, 250 and 300
ppm and TIBA @ 25, 50 and 75 ppm and two sowing dates (May 15 and May 30) was conducted
in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications on sandy loam soil
which was normal in pH (7.57-7.59) and electrical conductivity (0.139-0.117 dsm-1), low in
organic carbon (0.23-0.26%), and available nitrogen (112.4-129.2 kg ha-1), medium in available
phosphorus (18.50-21.70 kg ha-1) and available potassium (298.2-310.6 kg ha-1). May 15 sown
crop produced significantly higher dry matter, LAI, number of branches, pods and grain yield than
May 30 sown crop. May 15 sown produced significantly taller plants and significantly influenced
CGR, RGR and LAD. Quality parameters such as N, P, K and protein content in grain and stover
remained unaffected by growth retardants and sowing dates. Nodule count and weight of nodule
plant-1 were not significantly affected by growth retardants and sowing dates. No effect on
phenology of crop and chlorophyll content was observed by either sowing dates and growth
retardant treatments. Various growth and yield parameters viz., Crop Growth Rate, Relative
Growth Rate, Leaf Area Duration, dry matter, Leaf Area Index, secondary branches plant-1 and
pods plant-1 were statistically higher with application of TIBA @ 75 ppm than all other growth
retardant treatments and control but was statistically at par with TIBA applied @ 50 ppm. As a
result, highest seed yield of pigeonpea (14.4 q ha-1) was recorded with application of TIBA @ 75
ppm although at par with foliar application of TIBA @ 50 ppm but was 22.9 per cent higher than
control. Similar increase in stover yield and harvest index was also observed. No significant effect
of different growth retardant sprays was found on various quality parameters like nitrogen,
phosphorous, potassium and protein content of seed and stover.
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