?EFFECT OF SOWING DATE ON THE YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF SHORT DURATION PIGEONPEA

Abstract

In a 2-year field trial conducted at Ishurdi, short duration pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Milisp.) responded to the
sowing date(15March, 15April, 15May, 15June, 15July,15August, 15September,15October, 15November and
15December).The highestyieldwasobtainedfrom 15Septembersowing,whichalsoproduced thehighestnumber
of pods per plant and 1000seed weight. Conpared with the sowing date of 15September, other dates reduced the
yield by 22.8 to 207.3%. Days to flowering, days to maturity and plant height declined almost linearly with the
progress of sowing dates. September was the optimum time of sowing.