Effect of different Tillage and Residue Management Practices on Nodules Number of Pigeonpea under Pigeonpea + Maize Inter Cropping Systems in Semi-arid Tropics

Author: Nallagatla Vinod Kumar, Gajanan Sawargaonkar, C. Sudha Rani, T. Ram Prakash, S. Triveni and Ch. Sarada

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Abstract

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) plays a pivotal role in sustaining millions of resource-poor farmers across semi-arid regions in Asia and Africa. Amidst the challenges of global climate change, this study investigates the effect of Different Tillage and Residue Management Practices on Nodule Number of Pigeonpea under Pigeonpea + Maize Intercropping Systems in Semi-Arid Tropics. The research was conducted in ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics), situated in Patancheru, Hyderabad. The experiment was laid out in split-split design. Treatments consists of 2 tillage practices (minimum tillage (Running rotavator once two months before sowing of the crop + Herbicide use as Pre & Post emergence) and conventional tillage (Ploughed with mould board plough once, cultivated and harrowed twice + 2 HW and 1 weeding), 4 row ratios (pigeonpea + maize (1:2 in Additive series), pigeonpea + maize (1:3 in additive series), sole pigeonpea, sole maize ) and 3 residue management practices (biochar - Soil application (biochar of pigeonpea stubbles @ 5 t ha-1) residues maize residues as per available crop; in intercropping, quantity is as per crop proportion) and control (no. biochar and no. residue). The experiment was laid out in a split – split plot design with 3 replications. The five plants from border rows were uprooted carefully by digging around the plant by crowbar and the plants were washed under running tap in sieve and the fresh nodules and dry nodules were counted and expressed in (No. plant-1) at active nodulation stages i.e. 30, 45 and 60 days after sowing. Row ratios and residue management practices had a significant influence on number of nodules in pigeonpea under pigeonpea and maize intercropping systems in semi-arid tropics.

Keywords

Pigeonpea, Tillage, Row ratios and Residue management practices

Conclusion

In conclusion, conventional tillage fosters more robust root nodules, sole pigeonpea exhibits higher nodule formation and biochar application enhances nodule development through improved soil structure and microbial activity. These findings align with existing research and emphasize the significance of soil conditions in promoting effective nitrogen fixation in pigeonpea crop.

References

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How to cite this article

Nallagatla Vinod Kumar, Gajanan Sawargaonkar, C. Sudha Rani, T. Ram Prakash, S. Triveni and Ch. Sarada (2023). Effect of different Tillage and Residue Management Practices on Nodules Number of Pigeonpea under Pigeonpea + Maize Inter Cropping Systems in Semi-arid Tropics. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(8a): 152-156.