<div>Background: In Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh long duration varieties of pigeonpea (160-180 days) is grown during rabi under rainfed conditions. Late or advancement of north east monsoon, prolonged breaks and early cessation of rainfall may have devastating effects on pigeonpea yield in rainfed areas of Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh even if the mean annual rainfall is normal. In this context, there is a need for introduction of suitable super early varieties of pigeonpea which are ideal even under changing climatic situations, with suitable crop geometry to enhance the yields of pigeonpea.&nbsp; 
 
Method: A field experiment was conducted during rabi, 2018-19 and 2019-20 at Agricultural Research Station, Podalakur, Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore andhra Pradesh, to find out the suitable super early variety of pigeonpea and their response to different crop geometries. The present field experiment was laid out in a split plot design with 4 varieties of pigeonpea (V1: ICPL 20338; V2: ICPL 20325; V3: ICPL 11255; V4: LRG 52) as main plot treatments and 3 crop geometries (S1: 30 cm x 15 cm; S2: 45 cm x 15 cm); S3: 60 cm x 15 cm) as subplot treatments and replicated thrice. 
 
Results: Super early variety ICPL- 20325 recorded the highest mean grain yield (1098 kg ha-1) among the four varieties of pigeonpea tested. Among the three crop geometries tested significantly the highest grain yield (930 kg ha-1) was recorded at 45 cm x 15 cm. Super early varieties ICPL- 20325 (1256 kg ha-1), ICPL- 11255 (930 kg ha-1) and ICPL- 20338 (817 kg ha-1) recorded higher mean grain yield at crop geometry of 45 cm x&nbsp;15 cm. LRG-52 (996 kg ha-1) variety recorded higher grain yield at crop geometry of 60 cm x 15 cm.</div>

Response of Super Early Varieties of Pigeonpea to Crop Geometry under Rainfed Conditions

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2012 to assess the effects of sowing time (1, 10, 20, and 30 July) and planting geometry (30 cm &times; 10 cm and 22.5 cm &times; 10 cm) on the growth, phenology and thermal indices of mungbean varieties (PAU 911 and ML 818). The crop sown on 1 July recorded higher plant height and dry matter accumulation (DMA) and required higher thermal indices viz. accumulated growing degree days (AGDD), accumulated photothermal units (APTU) and accumulated heliothermal units (AHTU) to complete various phenological stages as compared to all other sowing times. Mungbean variety PAU 911 took lesser days to complete various phenological stages and required lesser AGDD, AHTU and APTU as compared to ML 818. Plants in planting geometry of 30 cm &times; 10 cm recorded significantly higher DMA and attained significantly higher AGDD, AHTU and APTU as compared to in 22.5 cm &times; 10 cm geometry.

Growth, phenology and thermal indices of mungbean as influenced by sowing time, varieties and planting geometry

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of crop geometry and irrigation levels on sugarcane under drip irrigation at Main Sugarcane Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Kodinar during 2011-14. The treatment consisted of three crop geometry (90 cm normal planting, paired row planting (60: 90 cm) and paired row planting (60: 120 cm) and three drip irrigation levels (0.5 PEF, 0.7 PEF and 0.9 PEF) and with an extra treatment (control) &nbsp;having surface irrigation (90 cm) at 1.0 IW/CPE ratio. Experimental results indicated that paired row (60: &nbsp;90 cm) planting gave significantly higher cane yield (101.04 t/ha) over 60: 120 cm paired row planting (88.82 t/ha) and remained at par with 90 cm row spacing (97.34 t/ha). Drip irrigation level of 0.9 PEF gave significantly higher cane yield (108.63 t/ha) over 0.7 PEF (96.01 t/ha) and 0.5 PEF (82.56 t/ha). Juice quality parameters like brix, sucrose, purity and sugar recovery percent were not affected significantly due to either crop geometry or different drip irrigation levels. Significantly higher cane yield was recorded under drip irrigation (95.74 t/ha) compared to surface irrigation (76.86 t/ha). The total water use was not affected due to different crop geometries. Water use decreased constantly in 0.7 and 0.5 PEF compared to 0.9 PEF and accordingly WUE increased.

Effect of crop geometry and drip irrigation levels on sugarcane&nbsp;in South Saurashtra region of India

<div>Background: In pigeonpea, nipping is a common process which induces sprouting of secondary and tertiary branches and increases the number of pods/plant. Nipping is tedious process and requires more number of labours. Hence, it is advised to use growth retardant for better source- sink relationship and better fruit retention in pigeonpea. Chlormequat Chloride is well known growth retardant and is quickly metabolized by plants, animals and soil microbes compared to other growth retardants. Current study was planned to know the effect of growth retardants and planting geometry on yield and economics of pigeonpea genotypes. 
 
Methods: Experiment conducted during 2014-2015, comprised of twelve treatments and laid out in split-split plot design with three replications. Treatments were comprised of two genotypes [BSMR-736 and TS-3(R)], three planting geometry (90 &times; 20 cm, 120 &times; 20 cm and 150 &times; 20 cm) and three nipping practices (without nipping, with nipping and growth retardant chlormequat chloride spray @3ml/l).&nbsp; 
 
Result: Pooled data of two years indicated that planting geometry of 120 &times; 20 cm was significantly higher in grain yield (2408 kg/ha) over others. Spraying of growth retardant chlormequot chloride recorded the highest yield (2368 kg/ha) over nipping at 50 DAS (2138 kg/ha) and without nipping (2091 kg/ha). Net returns and B:C ratio were obtained significantly at highest level with the planting of BSMR-736 genotype at 120 &times; 20 cm along with spraying of chlormequot chloride at 70 DAS. Phosphatase and dehydrogenase activities were un-affected by the spray of chloromequat chloride.</div>

<div>Productivity and Economics of Pigeonpea Genotypes as Influenced by Planting Geometry, Growth Retardant&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Intensive cultivation with suitable crop geometry for optimum utilization of resources is one of the possible ways for increasing productivity of pigeonpea. Plant growth regulators have the capacity to stimulate and inhibit physiological processes, which directly or indirectly might affect crop yield and quality. This investigation was planned to study the influence of crop geometry and foliar application of plant growth regulators on production potential of pigeonpea. 
 
Methods: The field experiment was conducted at experimental farm of Agronomy Department, V.N.M.K.V., Parbhani, during kharif season of 2018 and 2019. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four main plot treatments and five sub plot treatments. The main plot treatments comprised of four crop geometries while thesub plot treatments were five treatments on foliar application of plant growth regulatorsalongwith control.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Various crop geometries shown remarkable effect on growth and developement of pigeonpea. The crop geometry of 60-120 cm &times; 20 cm and 90 cm &times; 20 cm recorded maximum plant height of pigeonpea as compared to other wider crop geometries. While in case of all the other growth attributes viz. number of functional leaves plant-1, leaf area, number of branches plant-1&nbsp;and dry matter accumulation plant-1 crop geometry of 120 cm &times; 20 cm and 75-150 cm &times; 20 cm were found superior as compared to other treatments and were at par with each other. The yield per hectare was increased at closer crop geometry 60-120 cm &times; 20 cm as the lower per plant yield was compensated by higher plant population. The crop geometry 60-120 cm &times; 20 cm produced significantly higher seed yield (1661, 1982 and 1821 kg ha-1 during 2018, 2019 and pooled mean respectively) over crop geometry of 120 cm &times; 20 cm and crop geometry 75-150 cm &times; 20 cm, but it was found at par with crop geometry 90 cm &times; 20 cm. Among the foliar application of plant growth regulators, growth characters viz., plant height, number of functional leaves, leaf area, number of branches and dry matter accumulation plant-1 as well as chlorophyll content were enhanced with the foliar application of Brassinosteroids @ 0.1 ppm and application of NAA @ 40 ppm during both the years of study. Foliar application of Brassinosteroids @ 0.1 ppm also recorded early flower initiation and significantly highest seed yield (1742, 2018 and 1880 kg ha-1 during 2018, 2019 and in pooled data, respectively), while it was at par with foliar application of NAA @ 40 ppm.&nbsp;</div>

&nbsp;​Morphophenological Characters and Productivity of Pigeon Pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] as Influenced by Crop Geometry and Plant Growth Regulators

<div>Background: Cotton is one of the important commercial crops cultivated in India for fibre and oil. The average cotton productivity of India is lower compared to other countries. Among the improved agronomic practices, important yield contributing agro techniques are crop geometry and fertilizer application. Drip irrigation and use of water soluble fertilizers (WSF) by drip system is a recommended practice to increase both water and nutrient use efficiency. Taking this aspect, a field investigation was carried out to find the resource use efficiency, productivity and profitability of inter specific Bt cotton hybrid with different levels crop geometry and drip fertigation. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted at TNAU, Coimbatore during 2013 and 2014 for two consecutive years. The experiment was laid out in a strip plot design with three replications. The treatments in main plot consisted of four crop geometry levels (120 x 60 cm, 120 x 90 cm, 150 x 60 cm and 150 x 90 cm) and sub plots consisted of four nutrient levels viz., 75 %, 100 %, 125 % of recommended dose as water soluble fertilizer (WSF) through drip system and as conventional practice. Resource use efficiency (water, nutrient), seed cotton yield and profitability of the system were recorded. 
 
Result: The experiment revealed that the fertilizer use efficiency and the efficiency of individual nutrient (partial factor productivity) for the crop geometry of 120 x 90 cm and 75% RDF were higher in both the years. &nbsp;The crop geometry of 120 x 90 cm in combination with 125% RDF effectively utilized the water as indicated by its water use efficiency and comparable results was also obtained with 100% RDF. &nbsp;The mean (2012-13 and 2013-14) seed cotton yield of 2,713 kg ha-1 in 120 x 90 cm kg ha-1 for 125% RDF was 41.5 per cent higher compared to their lower counterpart. Their interaction was significant, consequently the treatment M2S3 (120 x 90 cm and 125% RDF) recorded higher mean (both years) seed cotton of 3,176 kg ha-1 which was nearly 93.7 per cent increase over conventional irrigation and fertilizer application (M4S4). Here M1S2 could be considered as alternate option as it maintained similarity with the best treatment. The gross and net return was estimated to be higher with spacing of 120 x 90 cm with 125 % RDF and however the benefit cost ratio was higher with 120 x 90 cm with 100 % RDF followed by 120 x 60 cm with 100 % RDF.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Resource Use Efficiency, Productivity and Profitability of Bt Cotton (interspecific) as Influenced by Crop Geometry and Drip Fertigation</div>

<div>Background: Pigeonpea being highly branching and indeterminate growth habit responds very well to crop geometry. Hence to achieve potential yields, it is important to maintain optimum plant population which can effectively utilize available moisture, nutrients and solar radiation. The plant growth regulators are also known to enhance the source sink relationship and stimulate the translocation of photo assimilates, thereby increase the productivity. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted at experimental farm of Agronomy Department, V.N.M.K.V., Parbhani during kharif season of 2018 and 2019. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four main plot treatments comprised of four crop geometries as 90 cm x 20 cm, 120 cm x 20 cm 60-120 cm x 20 cm and 75-150 cm x 20 cm and sub plot treatments were five treatments on foliar application of plant growth regulators i.e. NAA @ 40 ppm, Mepiquat chloride @ 50 g a.i. ha-1, Brassinosteroids @ 0.1 ppm, Chlormequat Chloride @ 75 g a.i ha-1 and control. 
 
Result: The crop geometry of 120 cm x 20 cm and 75-150 cm x 20 cm recorded higher values of all yield parameters followed by crop geometry of 60-120 cm x 20 cm. While the seed, straw and biological yield of pigeonpea as well as highest net realization of Rs. 72072 ha-1 was obtained with crop geometry of 60-120 cm x 20 cm followed by 90 cm x 20 cm. Among the plant growth regulators foliar application of Brassinosteroids @ 0.1 ppm (G3) tended to recorded higher yield parameters, seed yield and fertility coefficient of pigeonpea as well as highest net realization followed by foliar application of NAA @ 40 ppm.</div>

Production Potential of Pigeon Pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] as Influenced by Crop Geometry and Plant Growth Regulators

Background: Rapid expansion in population increased the global food demand. To meet this surge in demand for food and to ensure food and nutritional security addition of pulses in the cropping system is a visible alternative. Pulses intensifies cropping intensity, enhances health and fertility status of the soil and acts as a good source of dietary protein etc. However, due to a wide gap between the potential and actual yield of pulses in rainfed areas. Hence, identification and adoption of best management practices has become a pre-requisite. The present study was undertaken as the information available on foliar nutrition and different crop geometries on performance of different blackgram genotypes in rainfed condition is meagre. 
 
Methods: In this investigation conducted during kharif&nbsp;season of 2018 at Advanced Centre for Rainfed Agriculture, SKUAST-Jammu, Rakh Dhiansar. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with 3 factors and 3 replications. The factor-1 consisted of three blackgram cultivars (Uttara, PU-31 and Mash-114), factor 2 consisted of two crop geometries (30&times;10 cm and 45&times;10 cm) and factor-3 consisted of three foliar nutrition (Foliar spray of molybdenum as sodium molybdate @ 0.1% at 20 DAS, Foliar spray of 1.5% KCl at flowering and Foliar spray of molybdenum as sodium molybdate @ 0.1% at 20 DAS fb 1.5% KCl at flowering). 
 
Result: The results from the present investigation indicated that adoption of Mash-114 at 30&times;10 cm crop geometry, supplemented with foliar application of molybdenum as sodium molybdate @ 0.1% at 20 DAS fb 1.5% KCl at flowering could be a viable technological proposition under rainfed conditions of Jammu.

Effect of Foliar Nutrition and Crop Geometry on Cultivars of Blackgram in Shiwalik Foothills of Jammu

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif season 2009 to study the response of hybrid pigeonpea to planting geometry and fertility levels. The results revealed that the hybrid pigeonpea ICPH-2671 recorded significantly higher grain yield&nbsp; 
(2.40 tha-1) as compared to cv. Maruti (1.68 t ha-1) and the magnitude of increase was 41.7 % higher. The yield parameters like grain weight plant-1, number of pods plant-1 and growth parameters like number of primary and secondary branches plant-1, LAI and dry matter production and its distribution were higher with hybrid pigeonpea ICPH-2671 compared to variety Maruti. &nbsp;Significant differences were observed among the plant geometry and fertility levels and their interactions with respect to growth and yield parameters. The plant geometry of 90 cm x 45 cm recorded significantly higher grain yield (2.57 t ha-1) as compared to closer geometry of 60 cm x 30 cm (2.19 t ha-1). The fertility level of 50: 100 N, P kg ha-1 resulted in significantly higher grain yield (2.57 t ha-1) as compared to lower fertility level of 25:50 N, P Kg ha-1 (2.23 t ha-1).&nbsp;

Growth, yield attributes and yield of medium duration pigeonpea hybrid ICPH-2671 as influenced by fertility levels and planting geometry&nbsp;

<div style="text-align:justify">The field experiments were conducted in the Dept. of Seed Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Vijayapur during &nbsp;kharif 2013 and 2014. The treatments consisted of three planting geometry (22,222, 27,798 and 37,037 plants per ha) and transplanting of different aged seedlings (A1- 21 day old seedlings, A2- 28 day old seedlings, A3- 35 day old seedlings and &nbsp;A4- Direct seed dibbling). Seedlings of BSMR-736( V1) and TS-3R (V2 ) were raised by using a polythene bag of 6 X 4 cm size in nursery. The results of the investigations indicated that &nbsp;the &nbsp;transplanting of 35 days old seedling with planting geometry of 27,798 &nbsp;plants per ha in BSMR -736 (2501 kg /ha) which was on par with transplanting of &nbsp;28 days old seedlings and lowest value was seen in &nbsp; seed dibbling at planting geometry &nbsp;of &nbsp;37,037 in TS-3R(1862 kg /ha). The 34 per cent increased seed yield mainly attributed to seedlings transplanted in planting geometry of 27,798 &nbsp;plants per ha.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Response of red gram cultivars to transplanting and planting geometry under rainfed conditions of Northern dry zone of Karnataka</div>