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PIGEONPEA CULTIVATION MANUAL
1. Introduction
Pigeonpea is an important legume crop cultivated for pulses, biomass, and soil fertility enhancement. It is deep-rooted, drought-tolerant, and well suited for rainfed ecosystems
of central and southern India. Due to biological nitrogen fixation, pigeonpea improves soil fertility and benefits subsequent crops. It is commonly grown as a sole crop,
intercropped, or in mixed cropping systems with cereals and oilseeds.
2. Soil Type
Pigeonpea performs well in:
- Well-drained loamy, sandy loam, and black cotton soils
- Soil pH: 6.5–8.0
- Tolerates mild salinity due to deep rooting
- Avoid waterlogged, compact clay soils, which cause root rot and poor aeration Deep soils support strong root penetration and moisture extraction, critical during flowering and pod setting.
Summer (Irrigated): February–March
- Ideal for fodder and short-duration grain hybrids.
- High temperature and bright sun accelerate growth but require assured irrigation.
3. Climate & Sowing Season
Sowing Windows:
Pigeonpea is a warm-season crop requiring long photoperiods and moderate humidity during vegetative growth.
- Kharif (Main season): June–July (with onset of monsoon)
- Late Kharif: July–August (short-duration hybrids/varieties only)
- Rabi (limited pockets): October–November in irrigated, frost-free areas Optimal temperature for emergence and early growth: 25–32°C. Flowering and pod formation require dry weather and bright sunlight for maximum productivity.
4. Seed Rate
- Varieties: 4–5 kg/acre
- Seed size varies across varieties; adjust rate accordingly.
Seed Treatment:
Essential for managing wilt & sterility mosaic:
- Carbendazim / Mancozeb @ 2 g/kg for fungal diseases
- Imidacloprid 600 FS @ 5–7 ml/kg for insect-borne viruses
- Rhizobium inoculation improves nitrogen fixation and early vigor
- PSB (Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria) enhances phosphorus uptake
5.Recommended Spacing
Crop Duration
- Long duration (180+ days)
- Medium duration (150–170 days)
- Short duration (120–140 days)
Spacing
- 120 × 30–40 cm
- 90 × 30 cm
- 60 × 20 cm
Wider spacing reduces humidity in canopy, lowers disease pressure, and supports robust branching.
6. Land Preparation
Pigeonpea seeds germinate best in a fine, well-aerated, weed-free seedbed.
Operations:
- One deep ploughing to break hardpan
- 2–3 harrowings to prepare fine tilth
- Ensure good drainage, especially in black cotton soils
- Pre-monsoon sowing improves field conditions for timely planting
Raised-bed planting is recommended in poorly drained fields.
7. Nutrient Management (Moderately Elaborated)
Organic Manure
Apply 4–5 tons FYM/acre during final land preparation to enhance soil moisture retention and microbial activity.
Chemical Fertilizers
Pigeonpea being a legume requires less nitrogen, but initial small doses help early establishment.
Recommended Dose (kg/acre):
- NPK: 8–16–16
- Apply entire dose as basal at sowing.
Micronutrients
- Zinc sulphate @ 10 kg/acre in deficient soils
- Sulphur @ 10–12 kg/acre improves seed quality and protein content
Avoid excessive nitrogen—reduces nodulation.
8. Irrigation Management
Pigeonpea is mostly rainfed but responds well to protective irrigation.
Critical Irrigation Stages:
- Branching stage (35–45 DAS)
- Flowering stage (70–90 DAS)
- Pod development (90–110 DAS)
Excess irrigation causes flower drop and favors Phytophthora blight.
9. Weed Management
Herbicides
- Pre-emergence: Pendimethalin 1 kg a.i./ha (400–500 ml/acre)
- Post-emergence (20–25 DAS): Imazethapyr @ 75–100 ml/acre
Cultural Practices
- Two hand weedings: 20 DAS & 40 DAS
- Intercultivation enhances aeration and reduces surface crusting
10. Major Pests & Their Management
1. Pod Borer (Helicoverpa armigera)
A major yield reducer:
- Spray Emamectin Benzoate 5% SG @ 0.4 g/L
- Install pheromone traps @ 4–5/acre
- Use HaNPV @ 250 LE/acre during early instars
2. Maruca Pod Borer
- Spray Spinosad 45 SC @ 0.3 ml/L
3. Aphids / Jassids
- Spray Imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 1 ml/L
4. Tur Pod Fly
- Spray Chlorantraniliprole 0.2 ml/L
11. Major Diseases & Control
1. Fusarium Wilt
- Use wilt-tolerant varieties
- Seed treatment with Carbendazim 2 g/kg
- Avoid waterlogging
2. Sterility Mosaic Disease (SMD)
Transmitted by eriophyid mites.
- Rogue infected plants
- Spray Dicofol 2 ml/L or Propargite 2 ml/L
3. Phytophthora Blight
Transmitted by eriophyid mites.
- Spray Metalaxyl + Mancozeb @ 2 g/L
4. Leaf Spot & Cercospora
Occurs under high humidity, intermittent rains, and dense canopy conditions.
- Spray Chlorothalonil 2 g/L or Mancozeb 2 g/L
12. Harvesting
Harvest when 70–80% of pods turn brown. Delayed harvest leads to pod shattering and seed damage.
Steps
- Cut plants at ground level
- Dry for 3–5 days
- Thresh using mechanical or manual methods