Performance evaluation of improved cultivars of pigeonpea under cluster front line demonstration in changing climatic condition of Samastipur District, Bihar

Abstract

A study was conducted for two years using P-9 and NDA-1, new cultivars of pigeonpea, in an area of 20 and 10 ha for 50 & 25 clusters, respectively with the objective to demonstrate the potential of improved technologies for pulse production. The improved technologies consist of modern varieties, seed treatment with Bavistin/Rhizobium, balanced fertilizer application and integrated pest management. These Cluster Frontline Demonstration (CFLD) studies recorded higher average grain yield (17.49 and 16.43 q/ha) as compared to average yield obtained from farmer’s practice (10.20 and 11.45 q/ha) which computed to increase in yield by 41.68 % and 30.31% during the years under observation, respectively. The technology gap (q/ha), extension gap (q/ha) and technology index (%) were 2.51, 7.29 and 12.55 during 2016-17 and 3.75, 4.98 and 17.85 in 2017-18 respectively. The significant increase in yield is attributed to introduction of new varieties in cluster mode. This mode facilitated better crop management resulting in better crop production.