INFLUENCE OF SEQUENTIAL INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS AND INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON GROWTH PARAMETERS AND SEED YIELD OF PIGEONPEA

Abstract

An experiment was carried out during kharif and rabi seasons of 2019-20 and 2020-21 at ARI, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (Factorial) with two factors i.e., one with six levels of sequential intercropping systems of pigeonpea (S1 to S6) and other with two levels of nutrient management practices (N1 and N2 - an integrated approach). Initial and final plant population were recorded at 30 DAS and harvest, respectively. Growth observations of pigeonpea viz., plant height, leaf area plant-1, dry matter production plant-1 and number of branches plant-1 were recorded at periodical intervals. Initial and final plant population were significantly not influenced by sequential intercropping systems and integrated nutrient management practices. Among the pigeonpea based sequential intercropping systems higher plant height, leaf
area plant-1, dry matter production plant-1, number of branches plant-1 and seed yield were recorded when pigeonpea sown as sole (S1 and S2) than the pigeonpea with sequential intercropping systems (S3, S4, S5 and S6) during both the years. However, higher pigeonpea equivalent yield was recorded in paired row pigeonpea with sweet corn – chickpea (S5). Application of 75 % RDN through fertilizers and 25 % through FYM (N2) recorded higher plant height, leaf area plant-1, dry matter production plant-1, number of branches plant-1, seed yield and pigeonpea equivalent yield over application of 100 % RDN through fertilizers (N1).