PIGEON PEA (TUR)

It is a popular pulses crop and it is rich source of Protein. It is cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical regions. It is important legumes crop of rainfed and semi-arid tropics and it can grow as single crop or intermixed with cereals. It enriches soil through symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are major Pigeon pea producing states in India. In Himachal Pradesh approximately 125 acre of land is used in Pigeon pea farming and gives an average yield of 1-2qtl/acre. It is mainly grown in low hilly areas. In Himachal Pradesh it is grown in Hamirpur, Kangra district of Nurpur region and Sirmour district of Paonta region.

It grows on variety of soil. It gives best result on fertile and well drained loamy soils. The saline-alkaline or waterlogged soils are unfit for its cultivation. It can grow successfully on soils having pH ranges from 6.5 to 7.5.

Sarita (I.C.P.L.-85010):It is valid in all regions where Pigeon pea-wheat crop rotation is done. It is dwarf and early maturing variety which gets mature in 150-155 days. It gives an average yield of 6qtl/acre.

Other state varieties:

Pusa 855: Released in 1993. It gives an average yield of 4-5qtl/acre. It takes 145-150 days to reach maturity. It has medium bold seeds.

Pusa 922:Released by IARI in 2002. It gives an average yield of 7.5-8qtl/acre. It takes 130-140 days to reach maturity.

Pusa 992:Released by IARI in 2004. It gives an average yield of 7qtl/acre. It takes 119-162 days to reach maturity.

T 21: Released in 1974. The plant height is 180-230cm. The variety matures in 140-180 days and gives an average yield of 4-5qtl/acre.

Prabhat: Released in 1976. The variety matures in 115-135 days and it gives an average yield of 5-6qtl/acre. It has yellow color seeds (50-55gm/1000 seeds).

Gwalior 3: The plant height is 225-275cm. The variety gets mature in 180-250 days and it gives an average yield of 3-4qtl/acre.

AL-15: It is a short duration variety, matures in 135days. Pods are borne in clusters. It gives average yield of 5.5qtl/acre.

AL 201: It is early maturity variety. It matures in about 140days. Main stem is stronger than side branches. Each pod contains 3-5 yellowish brown and medium size seeds. It gives average yield of 6.2qtl/acre.

PAU 881: It is early maturing variety. It matures in 132days. Plants are 2m tall. Each pod contains about 3-5 yellow brown and medium size seeds. It gives average yield of 5.6qtl/acre.

PPH 4: First Arhar hybrid in Punjab. It matures in 145days. Plants are tall and about 2.5 to 3meter tall. Each pod contains 5 yellowish brown seeds of medium size. It gives average yield of 7.2-8qtl/acre.

UPAS-120: It is extra early maturing (120-125days) variety. These are medium tall and semi spreading varieties. Seeds are small and light brown color. The average yield is 6-8 quintals per acre. It is susceptible to sterility mosaic disease.

ICPL 151 (Jagriti): Ready to harvest in 120-130days. It gives average yield of 4 to 5qtl/acre.

PusaAgeti: Dwarf bold seeded variety, ready to harvest in 150 to 160days. It gives average yield of 5qtl /acre.

Pusa 84: Medium tall, semi spreading variety, ready to harvest in 140 to 150days. 

IPA 203 and IPH 09-5 (Hybrid)
 

Three to four week after sowing apply first irrigation. Remaining irrigations are depending upon rainfall intensity. Flower initiation and pod setting stages are the most crucial to drought stress. Therefore, irrigation at these stages is essential for good yield. Avoid excessive irrigation as it leads to more vegetative growth and incidence of Phytophthora and Alternaria blight. Do not apply irrigation after mid-September; it will affect maturity of crop.

Prepared land by taking one deep ploughing followed by two or three harrowing. Planking should be followed after ploughing. It cannot withstand in water logging conditions, prepared field in such a way that water stagnation should not take place.

Crop Rotation: Follow crop rotation of Arhar with Wheat or Barley or Sufed Senji or Sugarcane.
 

• Pest and their control:
  

Blister beetles: Also known as flower beetles, they feed on flower and thus reduce pod numbers. Adults are black beetles with bright red coloration on the forewings.
To control blister beetle pest, spraying of Deltamethrin 2.8EC @200ml or Indoxacarb 14.5SC @200ml per acre using 100-125litres of water per acre. Take spray in evening hours and if necessary repeat the spray after 10days.
 

Seed rate
For good yield, use seed rate of 6kg per acre.

Seed Treatment
Select healthy seeds and bold seeds for sowing. Treat seeds with Carbendazim or Thiram@2gm per Kg of seeds. After chemical treatment, treat seed with Trichoderma viride@4gm/kg of seeds or Pseudomonas Fluorescens@10gm/Kg of seeds.

Pod Borer: This is the most serious pest and causes damage up to 75% reduction in yield. It feeds on leaves causes skeletonization of leaves also feeds on flower and green pods. On pods they make circular holes and feed on grains.
Install Pheromone traps for Helicoverpa armigera @ 5/acre. In case of low infestation, handpicked grown up larvae. At early stage use HNPV or Neem extract @ 50gm/Litre of water. Use of chemicals is necessary after ETL level. (ETL: 2 early instar larvae/plant or 5-8 eggs/plant).
If incidence is observed, spray crop with Indoxacarb 14.5SC @ 200ml or Spinosad 45SC @ 60ml/100-125litres of water per acre using manually operated knapsack sprayer. Take spray in evening hour.
 

Chemical weed control
Take one hoeing, about three weeks after sowing and another hoeing about six week after sowing. Apply Pendimethalin @ 1Ltr/acre in 150-200ltr of water as pre-emergence herbicide within 2days after sowing, followed by hand weeding six to seven weeks after sowing.
 

• Disease and their control:
  

Cercospora leaf spot: Grayish brown to dark spots are observed under surface of leaves. In severe condition spots are observed on petioles and stems along with leaf drop.
To control this disease, use disease free seeds and before sowing treat seeds with Captan or Thiram@3gm per kg seed.
 

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Apply nitrogen @6qtl/acre in form of urea @13kg/acre and phosphorus @28kg/acre in the form of SSP @180kg/acre.

Wilt: This disease causes considerable loss in yield. It can affect at the seedling stage as well as in an advanced stage of plant growth. Initially affected plant shows dropping of petioles and gives dull green color. Afterwards all leaves turn yellow and become straw colored.
Grow resistant varieties. In primary stage of wilt, to control mix 1 kg of Trichoderma in 200kg well decomposed cow dung and keep it for 3 days, then apply it in wilt affected area. If wilt is observed in fields, spray 200 ml Propiconazol with 200 Litre of water per acre.
 

Cankers: It causes due to various fungus. Cankers are developed on stem and twigs. It causes breaking of plants at affected place.
Follow suitable crop rotation. In severe conditions, spray crop with Mancozeb 75WP @ 2gm per Litre of water.
 

Sterility Mosaic: It is caused due to eriophyid mite. Due to infection of this disease, either no flowering or little flowering is observed. Leaves are of pale color. Plant gives bushy appearance.
Grow resistant variety. To control mite,Spraying of Fenazaquin 10% EC @ 200 ml/acre with 200 Ltr water.
 

Phytophthora stem blight: If it occurred at seedling stage, young seedling dies after emergence. Brown or black necrotic lesions are observed on stem. On leaflet, circular or irregular lesions are form and whole foliage becomes blighted.
If Infestation Phytophthora blight observed, to control spray with Metalaxyl 8%+Mancozeb 64% @ 2gm/Ltr of water.
 

For vegetable purpose harvest plant when leaves and pods are of green color. For grain purpose, when 75-80% pods turn brown and dry, it is right time of harvesting. Delay in harvesting result in damage of seeds. Harvesting can be done manually by cutting stem or by machine. After harvesting keep bundles of plant upright for drying purpose. Grains are removed from plant by threshing or by traditionally i.e. beating plants with sticks.

Grains of harvested crop must be well dried before storage. And take care to avoid the pulse beetle infestation in storage.