Influence of Micronutrient Managment on Growth and Yield Attributes in Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) CV. PRG176] in Kalahandi District of Odisha

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) is grown worldwide for its protein-rich seed. However, low availability of soil boron adversely affects the seed yield of pigeon pea. The present study was therefore conducted to assess the Influence of micronutrients mainly boron on crop growth and yield of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) cv. PRG176. Field experiment was conducted at farmer’s field, Pipalpada and Boria of district Kalahandi of Odisha state. Boron as boric acid at 200, 300 and 400 ppm was given as foliar spray with 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) with ZnSO4 @ 25 kg/ha and plant height, growth rates and yield attributes were estimated. The results revealed that combined application of 100% RDF, ZnSO4 (25 kg/ha) and Boron (300 ppm) recorded the highest plant height (324.84 cm) at 180 days after sowing (DAS), highest dry matter accumulation (759.30g/m2) at 180 DAS and best crop growth rate (6.65 g/m2/day) during 90-180 DAS and highest relative growth rate (0.052 g/m2/day) during 30-90 DAS. Similarly these combination of treatment resulted in maximum number of branches plant-1 (10.30), pods branch-1 (19.67) pods plant-1 (202.33), seeds pod-1 (3.0) and grain yield (1702.64 kg ha-1), gross return (₹102150/ha), net return (₹ 61650/ha) and return per rupee investment (₹ 2.52) in pigeon pea cv.PRG176.