Effect of Drought Mitigation Strategies on Yield and Economics of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) in Odisha.

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted over three consecutive years (Kharif 2014-15 , 2015-16 and 2016-17) at the Centre for Pulses Research ,OUAT, Berhampur to evaluate the impact of various drought mitigation strategies on growth, yield attributing characters and economics of medium duration pigeon pea (var. ASHA). Altogether 10 numbers of moisture conservation technologies i.e., T1: seed hardening with CaCl2 (2%), T2: Vermicompost @ 2.5t/ha ,T3: FYM @ 5t/ha + 2% KH2PO4 spray at flowering + 2% KNO3 spray at pod development stage , T4:Mulching with organic residues @ 5t/ha, T5: Pusa hydrogel @ 2.5kg/ha, T6: T1 + T5 , T7: T2 +T5, T8: T3 +T5, T9:T4+T5, T10: Control (STBF) , were taken under rainfed condition with three replications in RBD. The result revealed that T7 (Vermicompost+ Pusa hydrogel ) recorded maximum grain yield (1583.7 kg/ha) which was very close with T2 ,T8 and T3 computing grain yield of 1519.3, 1507.1 & 1474.4 kg/ha respectively. Highest net return was obtained from T3 ( Rs. 44742/-), followed by T8 (43689/-) and T4 (40979/-). Highest B:C ratios were recorded with T4 i:e: mulching (3.28), followed by T3 (FYM, 3.18) and T1 (seed hardening, 3.10). Pusa hydrogel, though enhanced yield over control (14.97 %) but has neither conspicuous effect nor economically viable . Use of vermicompost, though increased yield to a great extent (73.4 %), but being very costly reduced net return & B:C ratio. Seed hardening with CaCl2 increased yield to a tune of 42 % and recorded high B:C ratio (3.10) due to less investment. Application of FYM with foliar sprayings of 2% KH2PO4 at flowering + 2% KNO3 at pod development, increased yield to a tune of 61.47 % than that of control, recorded highest net return ( Rs. 44742/- per ha.) with attractive B:C ratio (3.18) may be recommended for mitigating drought, followed by organic mulching and seed hardening with CaCl