Effectiveness of Micronutrients and Seed Coating Polymer Application on Seed Yield and Yield Attributing Parameters of Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.)

Aims: To study the Effectiveness of Micronutrients and Seed coating polymer application on seed yield and yield attributing parameters of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.)

Place of Study: Field experiment was conducted during kharif 2014 at Main Agricultural Research Station, College of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur.

Methodology: The different micronutrients viz., Potassium molybdate (2 or 4 ml per kg of seed), ZnSO4 (2, 4 ml per kg of seed) and boron (2, 4 ml per kg of seed) as per the treatment either individually or in combination were coated with polymer at the rate of 6 ml per kg of seed using rotary seed coating machine, such coated seeds were properly dried under shade. after imposition of treatments, the seeds before sowing were treated with Rhizobium and Trichoderma harizianum culture. In addition, two foliar sprays as per the treatments either individually or in combination at an interval of 10 days during flowering stage (75 and 85 DAS) were given [Potassium molybdate (0.1%), (Zinc sulphate (0.5 %) in EDTA form, Borax (0.2 %)]. Various observations on seed yield and yield attributing parameters were recorded, analysed statistically to study the effectiveness of Micronutrients and Seed coating polymer application on seed yield and yield attributing parameters of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.).

Results: Seed coating polymer (@ 6 ml/kg) of pigeonpea seeds with the combination of potassium molybdate + ZnSO4 + boron (each @ 2g / kg) of seed along with two foliar sprays of potassium molybdate (0.1 %) + zinc sulphate (0.5 %) in EDTA form + borax (0.2 %) at an interval of 10 days during flowering stage (75 and 85 DAS) recorded significantly maximum number of pods per plant (193.0), maximum number of seeds per pod (3.67), higher seed yield per plant (62.80 g) and finally, highest seed yield (16.30 q) per hectare as compared to control.

Conclusion: Micronutrients (viz., Potassium molybdate, ZnSO4, boron) and seed coating polymer at optimum doses can stimulate the physiological functions, resulting in early germination, improved seedling vigour with better stand establishment lead to increased productivity of pigeonpea. Hence, It could be advocated for the better establishment of seedlings and higher seed yield.