Effect of bed configuration, fertilizer levels and placement method on the productivity of long duration Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp) under rainfed condition

A field experiment to study the effect of bed configuration, fertilizer levels and their placement methods on the productivity of long duration pigeonpea (Cajanus Cajan (L) Millsp) was conducted for four consecutive years during 2008–09 to 2011–12 at Tirhut college of Agriculture, Dholi, Bihar. Raised bed planting of pigeonpea significantly enhanced number of branches/plant, number of pods/plant, fruiting efficiency (15.4%) and seed yield (18.4%) and net return (18.6%) over that in flat bed. Application of RDF recorded significantly higher values of yield indices i.e. number of branches/plants, pods/plant, 100-seed weight, leaf area index, fruiting efficiency (by 14.7%), water-use efficiency (2.34 kg seed/ha/cm), seed yield (1857.58 kg/ha), production efficiency (6.99 kg/ha/day or ‘194.18/ha/day), net return (‘51.85x10³) and B:C ratio (1.98) than 75% and 50% RDF. Side placement of fertilizers recorded higher values of these yield indices, fruiting efficiency (14.78%), water use efficiency (2.35 kg seed/ha/day), production efficiency (6.99 kg/ha/day or ‘194.99/ha/day), seed yield (1866.46 kg/ha), net return (‘52.06x10³) and B:C ratio (1.97) as compared to those in broadcasting. Side placement of 75% RDF also produced significantly higher seed yield over that in broadcast of RDF. Number of nodules/plant, fresh and dry weight of nodules and Rhizobium population were unaffected by the diverse factors. N and K uptake by the crop were unaffected by bed configuration methods, while the uptake of N, P & K enhanced significantly at RDF and side placement of fertilizer over the lower doses and broadcasting respectively. Protein content in seed increased at higher levels and side placement of fertilizers. Bulk density of soil also was reduced under raised bed method while the same was unaffected by fertilizer levels and their methods of application.