Impact of biotic stress management technologies on yield, economics and energy indices of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) grown in Central India

Abstract

The major biotic stresses limiting productivity of pigeon pea includes weeds and various diseases like wilt, sterility mosaic virus, blight and pests as pod-borer, pod-fly in field and bruchids in field as well as in storage. Results of on farm trials revealed significant impact of adoption of management techniques of biotic stresses on seed yield, net profit and benefit cost ratio as compared to existing practices of pigeon pea cultivation. Scientific management of weed, pod borer and wilt was increased in seed yield by 26.2, 46.1 and 12.2%, while saving of seed by 23.6% from bruchids compared with existing practice, respectively. Among biotic management practices, higher additional cost was observed on weed management (Rs. 2,974 ha-1) and it was minimum on pod borer management (Rs. 798 ha-1) compared with existing practices. Accordingly, additional maximum net returns were obtained with pod borer (Rs. 24,805 ha-1) and minimum with wilt (Rs. 9,401 ha-1). Interventions of biotic stresses management were significantly influenced the output, use-efficiency, productivity and net gains of energy compared to existing practices. Maximum additional net energy gain was in management of weed (25,649 MJ ha-1) followed by pod borer (13,349 MJ ha-1), bruchid (8,390 MJ ha-1) and wilt (5,325 MJ ha-1). After harvest of second crop of pigeon pea, organic carbon, bulk density, infiltration rate and available N, P, K, S and Zn were significantly increased with weed and wilt management over existing practice. Management of biotic stresses by proper technologies increased the productivity of pigeon pea of three folds (2.12 to 2.33 t ha-1) compared to its average productivity of India and also increased economic benefits and energy outcomes.