PJB-2023-259
Optimizing Yield and Radiation Use Efficiency of Pigeon Pea through Crop Geometry, Establishment Method, and Sustainable Nutrient Management
Bathula Venkatyesh
Abstract
A two-year field study was conducted at the ICRISAT research farm during the rainy seasons of 2021 and 2022 to investigate the impact of crop geometry, crop establishment method, and sustainable nutrient management practices on the yield and radiation use efficiency of pigeon pea. The experiment followed a split-split plot design. The collected data was analysed using heat maps, revealing that the maximum leaf area and percent interception of photosynthetically active radiation per plant were achieved with a plant geometry of 120 cm × 120 cm. However, when considering seed yield and radiation use efficiency on a hectare basis, transplanting with a square system of 100 cm × 100 cm, combined with an integrated nutrient management approach consisting of 150% (or) 100% soil test based NPK, vermicompost at a rate of 5 t ha-1, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), and seed treatment with Rhizobium, resulted in 31.5% higher over inorganic nutrient management practices. Thus, a square geometry of 100 cm × 100 cm, along with sustainable integrated nutrient management (100% soil test based NPK, vermicompost at a rate of 5 t ha-1, PSB, and seed treatment with Rhizobium), resulted in higher seed yield and radiation use efficiency. These findings highlight the importance of careful selection of planting methods, crop geometry, and nutrient management practices for maximizing the productivity of hybrid pigeonpea.
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