Growing extra-short-duration pigeonpea in rotation with wheat in the Indo-Gangetic plain. Natural Resouce Management Program- Report no. 1

Extra-short-duration pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] is a relatively new plant type, which has been primarily bred to replace short-duration pigeonpea (SDP) for cultivation in rotation with wheat in the western Indo-Gangetic plain of South Asia. This book summarizes the experiences with on-farm testing of extra-short-duration pigeonpea (ESDP)-wheat rotation vis-à-vis SDP-wheat rotation conducted at three locations - Sonepat, Ghaziabad, and Ludhiana in northwestern India, from 1995 to 2000. Extra-short-duration pigeonpea genotypes matured two to four weeks earlier than SDP cultivars, yet produced up to 16% higher yield. Yield of the following wheat crop was 0.75 to 1 ha-1 more after ESDP genotypes than after SD cultivars or rice. Farmers preferred ESDP genotypes to SD cultivars because of increased yield and early maturity, enabling timely sowing of wheat. The realized mean yield of ESDP genotypes in farmers' fields was about 1.5 t ha-1, which though greater than SDP cultivars was about half of their potential. The major abiotic and biotic, socioeconomic constraints that limit realization of potential yield and widespread adoption of ESDP are discussed. Currently recommended practices for mazimizing their yield and precautions to be taken for seed production and storage are also highlighted