Studies on the Effect of Organic Manures and Inorganic Fertilizers on Yield Attributes, Yield and Economics of Pigeon Pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]

Background: Pulses are an integral part of many diets across the globe and they have great potential to improve human health, conserve our soils, protect the environment and contribute to global food security. The United Nations declared 2016 as the “International Year of Pulses” (IYP) to heighten public awareness of the nutritional benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production aimed at food security and nutrition. India is the largest producer, consumer, and importer of pulses in the world. Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] is one of the major grain legume (pulse) crops of the tropics and subtropics, endowed with several unique characteristics. It finds an important place in the farming system adopted by smallholder farmers in a large number of developing countries. Although globally pigeon pea ranks sixth in area and production in comparison to other grain legumes such as beans, peas and chickpeas, it is used in more diversified ways than others.
Methods: A field experiment was conducted at Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, Chitrakoot, Satna (M.P.) during the K season of 2015-16 to evaluate the effect of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on yield attributes, yield and economics of pigeon pea. Treatment comprised three organic manures (FYM @ 10 t/ha, Nadep compost @ 10 t/ha and vermin-compost @ 5 t/ha) and three levels of inorganic fertilizers (control, 100 and 50% RDF). Thus treatments were tested in a 3-replicated split plot design.
Result: The result revealed that the number of pods/plant, seeds/pod, pod length, and seed yield/plant were statistically similar in all tested organic manures but the application of vermicompost @ 5 t/ha, significantly improved the 100- seed weight. It also produced a significantly maximum seed yield of 1337 kg/ha, stover yield of 6220 kg/ha and net returns of Rs. 51727/ha. Control and use of 50 and 100% RDF in organic fertilizers gave statistically equal yield attributes (pods/plant, pod length and seeds/pod), seed yield, stover yield, gross returns and net returns of pigeon pea. The seed weight/plant and 100 seed weight were maximum under 100% RDF than control.