Effect of spacing and nipping on growth, yield attributes and yield of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.)

The experimental study entitled “Effect of spacing and nipping on growth, yield attributes and yield of pigeonpea ( Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.)” was performed out at the Research farm of Barrister Thakur Chhedilal College of Agriculture and Research Station, Bilaspur (C.G.) during kharif 2021-22. The experiment was carried in clayey loam type of soil and was sown on 17 th July 2021 in Randomized complete block design with two factors namely spacing (Three spacings: (S 1 ) 40cm x 20 cm, (S 2 ) 60 cm x 20 cm, (S 3 ) 80 cm x 20 cm) and nipping (Three stages: (N 1 ) No nipping, (N 2 ) Nipping at 30 DAS, (N 3 ) Nipping at 30 DAS and 60 DAS) with nine treatment combinations. Each experimental unit was replicated thrice with gross plot size of 4.8 m x 4 m and net plot size of 4 m x 3.6 m for 40 cm x 20 cm spacing, 3.6 m x 3.6 m for 60 cm x 20 cm spacing, 3.2 m x 3.6 m for 80 cm x 20 cm respectively. Among the growth parameters, significantly higher plant height was seen in (S 1 ) 40 cm x 20 cm while number of primary and secondary branches were seen in the spacing (S 3 ) 80 cm x 20 cm, however in nipping, highest plant height was seen in the nipping treatment (N 1 ) no nipping, and maximum number of primary branches and secondary branches were discovered in nipping at 30 DAS and 60 DAS (N 3 ). Eventually with yield attributes, the highest number of pods plant -1 , number of grains pod -1 , 1000 grain weight gave best result in the spacing (S 3 ) 80 cm x 20 cm although in nipping, they were maximum in (N 3 ) Nipping at 30 DAS and 60 DAS. Similarly, higher grain yield, gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio were found in spacing (S 3 ) 80 cm x 20 cm and least was observed in the spacing (S 1 ) 40 cm x 20 cm and in nipping at 30 DAS and 60 DAS (N 3 ) as compared to no nipping (N 1 ).