Yield and economics of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L Millsp.) as influenced by different dates of sowing and nipping

The present study was carried on the deep black soil of College of Agriculture, Badnapur during kharif 2022-23 on pigeonpea variety BDN 711 in split plot design with 3 replications and 12 treatment combinations. The main plots were comprising of three different dates of sowing i.e., D1 (26th meteorological week), D2 (28th meteorological week), D3 (31th meteorological week) as a main plots and sub plots were N0 (no nipping) N1 (Nipping at 45 DAS), N2 (Nipping at 60 DAS) and N3 (Nipping at 45 and 60 DAS) nipping at 45 and 60 DAS (N3) increased yield-attributing traits and overall productivity in pigeonpea. The D1N3 (26th M.W. with nipping at 45 and 60 DAS) treatment consistently produced the highest grain, stalk, and biological yields, while The D3N0 (31st M.W. with no nipping) had the lowest values, indicating the significance of timely sowing and nipping for maximum yields. As well as 26th M.W. sowing (D1) and nipping at 45 & 60 DAS (N3) resulted in the highest gross monetary returns (GMR) and benefit-cost (B:C) ratio. While these treatments improved yield and profitability, their interaction did not significantly affect net monetary returns (NMR) or the B:C ratio.