Vol. 10, Issue 11 (2021)

Author(s):
Komal Gupta, HS Kushwaha and Chhatrapal Singh Puhup

Abstract:
The field experiment was conducted during season of 2018 at Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, Chitrakoot, Satna (M.P) Effect of drought mitigation strategies on growth parameters of pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] Under rainfed conditions. The trial was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The results revealed that the plant height was observed significantly higher under T₃: FYM @ 5 t/ha + 2% KH₂PO₄ spray at FL + 2% KNO₃ spray at pod development stage and T₆: Seed hardening with CaCl_{2 +} pusa hydrogel @ 2.5 kg/ha respectively followed by T₉: Pusa hydrogel @ 2.5 kg/ha + mulching with organic residue @ 5 t/ha and minimum plant height was noted in T₁₁: control both stages. Number of primary and secondary branches/plant was noted numerically higher under T_6: Seed hardening with CaCl₂ + Pusa hydrogel @ 2.5 kg/ha and Tertiary branches/plant was recorded marginally higher under T₇: Vermicompost @ 2.5t/ha+ pusa hydrogel @ 2.5kg/ha (3.87) followed by Vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha (3.80). Number of trifoliate leaves was noted markedly higher under T₅: Pusa hydrogel @ 2.5 kg/ha (80.13) and T₃: FYM @ 5 t/ha + 2% KH₂PO₄ spray at FL + 2% KNO₃ spray at pod development stage (180.73). At 60 and 90 DAS, produced higher dry matter accumulation/plant was recorded under T₇: application of vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha + pusa hydrogel @ 2.5 kg/ha (8.90) and T_6: Seed hardening with CaCl₂ + pusa hydrogel @ 2.5 kg/ha (22.30) followed by others treatments. Maximum number of root nodules and root dry weight/plant was recorded numerically higher under T_10: Pusa hydrogel @ 2.5 kg/ha applied at 45 DAS (19.22) and T_9: Pusa hydrogel @ 2.5 kg/ha + mulching with organic residues @ 5 t/ha (0.82). Days to 50% flowering, pod formation and 75% maturity was noted numerically higher under T_8: FYM @ 5t/ha + Pusa hydrogel @ 2.5 kg/ha + 2% KH₂PO₄ spray at flowering + 2% KNO₃ spray at pod development and T_5: Pusa hydrogel @ 2.5kg/ha.