Performance of Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan. L) Varieties under Different Spacings During Rabi Season

An experiment was conducted with the objective of ascertaining the feasibility of cultivation of pigeonpea during rabi season in the alfisols of Southern Telangana Zone. Further, it was designed to understand the performance of pigeonpea genotypes at various plant densities and also the economics of pigeonpea cultivation during rabi season. It consisted of 12 treatments with four plant densities in main plots and three genotypes in sub plots in split plot design. The pooled data of 2015-16 and 2016-17 revealed that significantly higher seed yield (1532 kg ha-1) was recorded at plant density of 60 cm × 10 cm spacing than at 45cm × 10cm (1332 kg/ha), 75 cm × 10 cm (1321 kg/ha) and 90 cm × 10 cm (1141 kg/ha). Among the genotypes, the seed yield in PRG-158 (1547 kg/ha) and Asha (ICPL 87119) (1591 kg/ha) was on par with each other but significantly higher than in PRG-176 (857 kg/ha). The higher gross returns (Rs. 77366 ha-1), net returns (Rs.46733 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.53) was recorded at plant density of 60 cm × 10 cm spacing than at other tested plant densities (45 cm × 10 cm, 75 cm × 10 cm and 90 cm × 10 cm). Among the genotypes, Asha (ICPL 87119) registered highest gross returns (Rs. 80346 ha-1), net returns (Rs.49711 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.62) followed by PRG-158 (gross returns of Rs. 78124ha-1, net returns of Rs.47489 ha-1 and benefit cost ratio of 2.55) and PRG-176 (gross returns of Rs. 43279ha-1, net returns of Rs.13144 ha-1 and benefit cost ratio of 1.44). Thus, the spacing of 60 cm × 10 cm is recommended for the cultivation of pigeonpea during rabi season in alfisols of Southern Telangana Zone with long duration varieties like PRG-158 and Asha (ICPL-87119).