Growth, development and yield of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) in the lowland tropics: 5. Effect of planting configuration

Abstract

SUMMARYIn two field trials in 1982, the seeds of pigeon pea (cv. Cita-1) were planted at three configurationsof0·6 x 0·2m;0·4 x 0·3 m and 0·35 x 0·35m(on 14 April and 24 June)giving the same projected population density of 83 000 plants/ha for each configuration, in order to evaluate the best planting configuration for maximum productivity of the crop.In the first trial, the 0·35 x 0·35 m configuration developed the highest magnitude of vegetative characters whilst the 0·4 x 0·3 m configuration had the highest number of seed-bearing pods, although seed yield was similar in all the treatments. In the second trial, the 0·4 x 0·3 m configuration developed the highest magnitude of growth and yield characters and thereby out-yielded the other two configurations.The results show that in the early planting of pigeon pea, population density per se is most important in determining seed yield whereas planting configuration also becomes important in late planting where plant size is reduced as a consequence of the prevailing local conditions.