Vol. 10, Issue 9 (2021)

Author(s):
M Sanjana, Dr. GS Madhu Bindu, Dr. B Padmaja, Dr. M Uma Devi and Dr. S Triveni

Abstract:
An experiment was conducted at the College farm, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar during rabi, 2020-21 in order to assess selected legume green manure crops viz., green gram, black gram, horse gram, cowpea, sunhemp, dhaincha and pillipesara for biomass and seed production during rabi. The study aimed to analyze the growth of the green manure crops in terms of plant height, leaf area, nodule count, dry matter production and seed yield during the growth period. Plant behavioural trait of diminishing growth towards the end of the growing season was noted in all the green manure crops. An overview of the leaf area measured indicated that in all the green manure crops leaf area increased at an increasing rate up to 60 DAS, at a diminishing rate from 60 to 90 DAS, and thereafter decreased towards maturity. The nodule number in the green manure crops increased up to 60 DAS and thereafter decreased as the crop reached maturity. The leaf dry weights behaved in a sigmoidal manner as maximum values reached at 60 DAS in all the green manure crops while the stem and total dry matter accumulation showed a linear function. The results from the study revealed the crops sunhemp and cowpea proved to be exceptionally good for rabi sowing with good plant stature, higher leaf area and significantly higher dry matter production and seed yields.