Journal of Environmental Biology

Effect of sulphur and phosphorus on yield, quality and

nutrient status of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)

 

P.B. Deshbhratar*, P.K. Singh, A.P. Jambhulkar and D.S. Ramteke

 

Environmental Impact and Risk Assessment Division, National Environmental Engineering

Research Institute (NEERI), Nehru Marg, Nagpur - 440 020, India

 

(Received: October 15, 2009; Revised received: January 02, 2010; Accepted: February 27, 2010)

 

Abstract: A field experiment was conducted to study the impact of Sulphur (S) and Phosphorus (P) on yield, nutrient status of soil and their contents in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) during the year 2008-2009. Seven treatments were studied in Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications. The treatment combinations were derived from three levels of sulphur (0, 20 and 40 kg S ha^-1) and four levels of phosphorus (0, 25, 50 and 75kg ha^-1). The experimental soil was medium black, slightly calcareous, clay in texture and slightly alkaline in reaction. The results indicated a significant increase in grain yield (14.81 q ha^-1) and straw yield (41.26 q ha^-1) of pigeonpea after 20 kg S ha^-1 and 50 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1 treatment with common dose of nitrogen @ 30 kg ha^-1. The increase in grain and straw yield was 102.77 and 52.87%? as compare to higher over control. Maximum number of pods plant^-1, maximum number of grains pod^-1 and test weight by this treatment was also observed as compared to control. Application of S and P improved soil fertility status and S alone did not influence P availability. Hence, in order to maintain the fertility status of the soil at high level, combine application of 20 kg S ha^-1 with 50 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1 is essential. The residual fertility status of soil is advocated for rainfed pigeonpea crop grown on vertisol in Vidarbha region.

Key words: Pigeonpea, Yield, Quality, Soil fertility

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