Effect of planting geometry and phosphate management on quality and economics of semi-rabi pigeonpea

An experiment was conducted during the semi-rabi season of 2010 to study the effect of planting geometry and phosphate management on quality and economics of semi-rabi pigeonpea with split plot design. The treatments consisted of four planting geometry levels viz., S₁ (45 × 15 cm), S₂ (45 × 30 cm), S₃ (60 × 15 cm), S₄ (60 × 30 cm) and four levels of phosphate management viz., P₁(100% recommended dose of phosphate through fertilizer), P₂ (100% recommended dose of phosphate through fertilizer+PSB), P₃ (75% recommended dose of phosphate through fertilizer+PSB) and P₄ (50% recommended dose of phosphate through fertilizer+PSB). Results showed that protein content was not influenced due to spacing but protein yield was significantly influenced due to spacing and was recorded highest with medium spacing of 60 × 15 cm. In case of phosphate management protein content was not influenced significantly due to application of phosphate but protein yield was significantly influenced due to application of phosphate and was recorded highest with application of 100% RDP through fertilizer+PSB. From economic point of view, spacing 60 × 15 cm and application of 100% RDP through fertilizer+PSB gave maximum gross monetary return, net monetary return and B: C ratio.