FARMER'S NOTEBOOK
Intercropping pigeon pea for greater yield
M.J. Prabu
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The crop is resistant to fusarium wilt and sterility mosaic disease
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— Photo : ICRISAT
DROUGHT TOLERANT: The flowers are yellow with red streaks on the back of the petals and the pods are green with maroon streaks.
Pigeon pea breeders at the International Crops Research Institute (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh, have developed a new, large seeded pigeon pea (red gram) variety for the semi arid tropics.
Pigeon pea is known as Thuvaram parrupu in Tamil, Toor dhal in Hindi, Kandi pappu in Telugu, Togri bele in Kannada and Thvara parippu in Malayalam.
The variety, named `Aasha', can be an intercrop for sorghum, pearl millet, groundnut and cotton crops.
The crop is resistant to fusarium wilt and sterility mosaic disease, which are a major pestilences of pigeon pea, and can be harvested in 180-200 days, according to Dr. K. Saxena, Principal scientist, pigeon pea breeding, ICRISAT.
"This is the first known medium-duration variety that combines resistance to the two most devastating pigeonpea diseases, fusarium wilt and sterility mosaic and is suitable for cultivating in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh," said Dr. Saxena.
Ideal time for sowing
About 10-12 kg of seeds are required for sowing in one hectare. The ideal time for sowing is during the onset of the monsoon. . For healthy and good growth only pure seeds obtained from reliable sources must be obtained for sowing, he said.
Dr. Saxena said the field must be lightly irrigated and ploughed into furrows.
Fertilizers such as 100 kg of di-ammonium phosphate, 20 kg of nitrogen and 20 kg of phosphorus should be applied as basal dressing.
Seeds must be planted at a depth of 4-5 cm in the furrows and covered firmly with soil.
As this variety is susceptible to water logging, it is essential that the field has a good drainage facility. Water stagnation leads to unwanted weed growth and seed dormancy.
Spacing recommendations
Care must be taken to maintain a spacing of 20-30 cm between the seeds planted in the furrows and 75-90 cm between the furrows.
Farmers are advised to follow the spacing recommendations carefully, as closer planting will lead to more vegetative growth and reduction in yield, he said.
The seedlings are prone to weed infestations particularly during the initial stages of their growth.
Manual weeding must be done during the first 25-30 days and repeated 45-50 days after sowing. Spraying a mixture of pre-emergence herbicide such as basalin and prometryn (1.5 litres diluted in 655 litres of water) per hectare may help.
As the variety is susceptible to pod borer (Helicoverpa armegera), pod sucking bug (Clavigralla) and podfly (Melanogromyza obtusa) infestations, farmers are advised to spray 35 per cent endosulphan during the flowering stage and 36 per cent monocrotophos 10-15 days after flowering to help control pests.
The harvested grains must be cleaned thoroughly and sun dried before storing in clean containers, as the grains are prone to weevil attack .
To prevent weevil infestation, celphos tablets may be placed in the container and sealed.
For more information, readers may contact Dr. K.B. Saxena, Principal Scientist, Pigeonpea breeding, ICRISAT, Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh 502 324, Phone: 040-3071 3372, email: k.saxena@cgiar.org
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