Periodical Assessment of Growth Attributes by Applied, Residual Phosphorous and Defoliant and Their Effects on Economics of Pigeonpea-Maize Cropping System under Rainfed Areas of Telangana State

A field trial was carried out at College Farm, Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, in 2016-17 and 2017-18 to assess applied phosphorus, residual phosphorus and defoliant use on pigeonpea-maize cropping systems. The study included phosphorus levels and defoliant (i.e Defoliant (urea) spray @10% at physiological maturity stage) treatments to evaluate effects on growth parameters, yield and economics. The findings of the study indicated T2 (20:50:0 N:P2O5:K2O kg ha-1) produced the superior growth parameters, yield, and economics over the two years. T2 had the greatest plant height at 30, 60, 90 DAS and at harvest, number of branches per plant and leaf area index. The highest seed yield (1567 kg ha-1 in 2016 and 1605 kg ha-1 in 2017) and stalk yield (5944 kg ha-1 and 6149 kg ha-1 respectively) were obtained at T2 followed by T4 (20:75:0 :P2O5:K2O kg ha-1) in pigeonpea. The highest grain yields (7329 kg ha-1 and 7498 kg ha-1, respectively) in maize during the rabi season were obtained from 75 kg P ha-1 + defoliant treatment, followed closely by 50 kg P ha-1 + defoliant treatments. Stover yields followed a similar trend which indicates there was a benefit to applying phosphorus and using defoliant to maximise crop production. When phosphorus and a defoliant are used, it enhances the growth of pigeonpeas and maize, compared to when neither was used, further enhancing profitability, and indicating a positive response in the pigeonpea-maize cropping system.