Abstract

In the scarcity zone of Maharashtra, monsoon is characterized by its uncertain and erratic nature. The agriculture in this region is often influenced by onset, amount of rainfall and intermittent dry spells. Sowing of pigeonpea in this region is mostly affected due to moisture scarcity because of late onset and influenced inversely due to moisture stress at later stages and subsequently fails to produce economic yield. A four-year field investigation on different planting techniques viz., drilling, dibbling and transplanting in four varieties of pigeonpea was conducted in factorial randomized block design at the Dry Farming Research Station, Solapur (Maharashtra) during rainy seasons of 2010–11 to 2013–14. Significantly higher seed and biological yield was recorded under transplanting method. Pigeonpea sown by transplanting method attained 50% flowering 11–15 days earlier than other methods under consideration. Significantly highest 100-seed weight (9.79 g), more number of pods/plant (113.8) and pod weight/plant (37.4 g) were noticed under transplanting. Higher consumptive use of moisture (326 mm), moisture use efficiency (2.97 kg/ha-mm) and stage-wise relative leaf water content were recorded under this method. Highest gross returns (Rs. 46464/ha) were obtained from transplanting method. Among the different varieties under investigation, cv. Vipula found better in respect of yield and yield attributes, CUM, MUE and moisture extraction. Economically, Vipula sown by transplanting method was best suited for moisture scarcity areas of Maharashtra.