Influence of irrigation scheduling (IW:CPE ratios) and sulphur on yield, quality and economics of rabi pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.)

A field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, to study the influence of irrigation scheduling (IW:CPE ratios) and sulphur on yield and quality of rabi pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) under middle Gujarat conditions during rabi, 2009-10 on loamy sand soil. Irrigation scheduling at 0.8 IW/CPE ratios (I3) resulted in significantly the highest grain yield (1677 kg ha-1), protein content (20.85 %) and significantly higher stover yield (4858 kg ha-1) and gave highest net monetary returns of Rs.37591 ha-1 with maximum B:C ratio of 2.34. Application of sulphur @ 40 kg S ha-1 (S2) recorded significantly the highest grain (1630 kg ha-1) and stover (4819 kg ha-1) yields. In case of protein content and economics, application of sulphur @ 40 kg S ha-1 recorded significantly the highest protein content (21.03 %) and the highest net monetary returns of Rs.35000 ha-1 with maximum B:C ratio of 2.19. Interaction effect between irrigation scheduling and sulphur levels on grain yield was highly significant. Irrigation scheduled at 0.8 IW/CPE ratio with the application of 40 kg S ha-1 recorded significantly higher grain yield (1929 kg ha-1) , however, it was at par with the irrigation scheduled at 0.8 IW/CPE ratio with 20 kg S ha-1.