Production Potential of Timely Sown Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) in Pigeonpea-Gobhi Sarson-Summer Moong Cropping System

Background: Diversification of the rice-wheat system in Punjab is essential to address declining soil fertility, groundwater depletion and residue management issues. The pigeonpea-gobhi sarson-summer moong cropping system offers a promising and sustainable alternative by improving soil health, resource-use efficiency and profitability. Pigeonpea being a deep-rooted legume contributes to soil nitrogen enrichment, while gobhi sarson and summer moong efficiently utilizes residual fertility during the succeeding seasons. Timely sowing plays a vital role in ensuring better establishment and higher productivity of pigeonpea. Methods: The study was conducted during Kharif 2023 and 2024 at the Students’ Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Eight treatments included pigeonpea (PAU 881 and AL 882) + cowpea (F) - gobhi sarson (relay cropping/direct sowing/transplanting) - summer moong during the Kharif-Rabi-Zaid season. Pigeonpea was sown on ridges 67.5 cm spacing with cowpea intercropped in the furrows. Observations were recorded on growth, symbiotic traits, yield attributes, yield and nutrient uptake to evaluate the production potential of timely sown pigeonpea in pigeonpea-gobhi sarson-summer moong cropping system. Result: Significantly higher growth parameters, nodule dry weight, pods plant-1, yield and nutrient uptake of pigeonpea were recorded under pigeonpea (AL 882) + cowpea (F) - gobhi sarson (relay cropping) - summer moong (T4). The higher productivity in T4 was attributed to improved canopy development and enhanced soil fertility dueto legume. This pigeonpea based diversified cropping system can be promoted as a sustainable and resource-efficient option under Punjab conditions and may be adopted in rotation with the rice-wheat system once every one or two years to maintain food security and long-term soil sustainability.