Assessing the Growth and Yield Metrics of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) as Affected by Foliar Nutrient Management

An experiment titled was conducted at the Agriculture Research Station, Badnapur, Maharashtra, under Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani during the kharif season of July 2018-19. The primary objective was to assess the impact of foliar nutrition on the growth, yield, and economic performance of pigeonpea. The study was designed using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten different treatments and three replications, utilizing the BDN-716 variety of Pigeonpea. The total rainfall received during crop season was 437 mm.The findings indicated that applying RDF combined with a 2% solution of DAP and Multimicronutrient at a rate of 2 ml/litre during 50% flowering resulted in the highest plant height (150 cm), number of branches (14.33), functional leaves (96.67), dry matter accumulation (143.33), pod count (73.67), pod weight per plant (52.67 g), seed yield per plant (38.67 kg/ha), 100-seed weight (14 g), and overall seed yield (1650 kg/ha). It also yielded the highest straw yield (4100 kg/ha), biological yield (5750 kg/ha), harvest index (28.69). This was followed closely by the application of RDF with 2% urea and Multimicronutrient spray at 2 ml/litre. RDF (25:50:00 NPK kg/ha) in combination with 2% DAP and multimicronutrient @ 2 ml/litre spray was found to be the best treatment for enhancing overall growth and yield of pigeonpea.