Biomass partitioning, yield and economic performance of green gram (Vigna radiate L.) genotypes as influenced by different irrigation levels

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of2020 with four main plot treatments consisting of irrigation levels (No post sowing irrigation, one irrigation at the flower initiation stage, one irrigation at the pod filling stage and two irrigations each at flower initiation and pod filling stage) and five subplot treatments as genotypes viz., MH 1142, MH 1468, MH 1703, MH 1762 and MH 1871 following split plot design by replicating thrice. Irrigating green gram, irrespective of the growth stage, increased the seed yield significantly. Two irrigations each at the flower initiation and podding stage bring about greater seed economic yield of green gram than 1 irrigation either at each stage. Among single irrigations, flower initiation stage provided significantly superior (8.6 %) seed yield compared to the pod filling stage. During the flower initiation stage, no rain and irrigation at this stage led to more development of crop plants, as is evident from a higher number of branches per plant and, ultimately, a higher number of pods. Two irrigations, i.e., each at flower initiation and podding phase, lead to considerably greater seed output than single irrigation at either growth stage, which may be attributed to the sufficient supply of water, which indirectly provided a smooth supply of nutrients to crop plants. The increase was 18.4 and 28.6 per cent over-irrigation at flowering and podding stage, respectively. Seed yield varied among green gram genotypes, which might be because of variations in the genetic potential of the genotypes. Genotype MH 1871 produced significantly higher seed yield among different genotypes. The cumulative effect of yield traits viz. pods per plant, branches per plant, seed index and seeds per pod attributed to the higher seed yield in MH 1871. This genotype was more efficient in utilizing radiations, as evident from the higher chlorophyll content recorded in this genotype. Genotype MH 1142 was the lowest yielder and MH 1762 although produced. To obtain a higher yield of green gram, genotype MH 1871 be taken with two irrigations each at flower initiation and pod filling stage.