Journal of Experimental Agriculture International

Aim: To determine the optimum date of sowing to realize higher growth and seed yield in rabi Pigeonpea.

Study Design: Split plot.

Place and Duration of Study: Siddapur research farm of RARS, Warangal during rabi, 2023-24.

Methodology: The experiment consisted of totally sixteen treatments which was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Treatments included were four dates of sowing in the main plot M₁-September 30^th, M₂-October 15^th, M₃-October 30^thand M₄- Novenber15^th, 2023 and four treatments of varieties in sub plots S₁-WRGE-93, S₂-WRGE-121, S₃-WRGE-97 and S₄-WRGE-182 randomly placed in subplots of the main plot.

Results: Maximum plant height (149.1 cm), dry matter production (602 gm^-2), number of fruiting branches plant^-1 (13.9) number of pods plant^-1 (162.7), number of seeds pod^-1 (4.08), seed yield (42.3 g plant^-1 and 1392 kg ha^-1) and stalk yield(4151 kg ha^-1) was noticed in crop Sownon September 30^th, 2023. Significantly maximum plant height (137.7 cm), dry matter production (516 g m^-2), number of fruiting branches plant^-1 (11.7),number of pods plant^-1 (144), number of seeds pod^-1 (3.85),seed yield (37.9 g plant^-1 and 1181 kg ha^-1) and stalk yield (3801 kg ha^-1) was observed inS₄-WRGE-182, which was found on par with S₂-WRGE-121 having plant height (134.6cm), dry matter production (512 g m^-2),number of fruiting branches plant^-1 (11.2),number of pods plant^-1 (130.3),number of seeds pod^-1 (3.74), seed yield (35.9 g plant^-1 and 1166 kg ha^-1) and stalk yield (3744 kg ha^-1). Lowest growth and yieldparameters were recorded in the crop sown on 15^th November and in variety S₃-WRGE-97.

Conclusion: Among varieties, WRGE-182 (S₄)and WRGE-121 (S₂) performed better in terms of growth and yield. Crop sownon September 30^th, 2023 revealed better performance in terms of growth and yield under the present study during rabi conditions.