Influence of irrigation scheduling (IW: CPE ratios) and sulphur on yield, quality and economics of rabi pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.)

A field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, to study the influence of irrigation scheduling (IW: CPE ratios) and sulphur on yield and quality of rabi pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) under middle Gujarat conditions during rabi, 2009–10 on loamy sand soil. Irrigation scheduling at 0.8 IW/CPE ratios (I₃) resulted in significantly the highest grain yield (1677 kg ha⁻¹), protein content (20.85%) and significantly higher stover yield (4858 kg ha⁻¹) and gave highest net monetary returns of Rs.37591 ha⁻¹ with maximum B: C ratio of 2.34. Application of sulphur @ 40 kg S ha⁻¹ (S₂) recorded significantly the highest grain (1630 kg ha⁻¹) and stover (4819 kg ha⁻¹) yields. In case of protein content and economics, application of sulphur @ 40 kg S ha⁻¹ recorded significantly the highest protein content (21.03%) and the highest net monetary returns of Rs.35000 ha⁻¹ with maximum B: C ratio of 2.19. Interaction effect between irrigation scheduling and sulphur levels on grain yield was highly significant. Irrigation scheduled at 0.8 IW/CPE ratio with the application of 40 kg S ha⁻¹ recorded significantly higher grain yield (1929 kg ha⁻¹), however, it was at par with the irrigation scheduled at 0.8 IW/CPE ratio with 20 kg S ha⁻¹.