Response of mungbean varieties to sowing time and planting geometry

A field study was conducted during kharif 2012 at the experimental area of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana in split-split plot design with four replications and four different sowing time (1, 10, 20, and 30 July) in main plot, two varieties (‘PAU 911’ and ‘ML 818’) in sub plot and two planting geometries (30 cm × 10 cm and 22.5 cm × 10 cm) in sub-sub plot. The number and dry weight of nodules/plant was significantly higher in case of 20 July sowing when recorded at 35 and 55 DAS. The leaf area was significantly higher in 1 July sown crop as compared to other sowings at 35 DAS as well as 55 DAS. The 20 July sown crop produced significantly higher number of pods/plant, pod length and grains/pod. The biological yield observed under 1 July sown crop was significantly higher than 20 July and 30 July sowings, however, the 20 July sown crop recorded 1.32 t/ha grain yield, which was significantly higher than 1 July (0.79 t/ha) and 10 July (1.14 t/ha) sowings. The study concludes that for kharif season mungbean 20 to 30 July is the optimum sowing time. Varieties ‘PAU 911’ and ‘ML 818’ and planting geometries of 30 cm × 10 cm and 22.5 cm × 10 cm produce similar grain yields