Pigeon Pea Crop Report on Cultivation and Water Management

Pigeon Pea Crop Report on Cultivation and Water Management

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) is a vital pulse crop in India, contributing significantly to nutritional security and soil health. This comprehensive report details its cultivation practices, water management strategies, and agronomic importance. It highlights the crop's seasonal growth patterns, including Kharif and Rabi seasons, and emphasizes the critical water requirements and irrigation methods. The document also discusses the crop's response to water stress during key growth stages, making it essential for farmers and agricultural researchers focused on optimizing pigeon pea yields.

Key Points

  • Explains the importance of pigeon pea in India's agricultural economy and nutrition.
  • Details seasonal cultivation practices for pigeon pea during Kharif and Rabi seasons.
  • Outlines total water requirements and water use efficiency for optimal growth.
  • Recommends advanced irrigation methods like drip irrigation for improved yields.
  • Identifies critical growth stages for irrigation to prevent yield loss due to water stress.
  • Gagan parmar
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Comprehensive Report on Pigeon Pea
( Cajanus cajan ) Cultivation and Water
Management
Subject: Crop Water Requirements, Irrigation Management, and Agronomic Importance Crop:
Pigeon Pea (Local names: Arhar, Tur, Red Gram)
a) Importance of the Crop in India & Its Season of
Cultivation
Importance in India: Pigeon pea ( Cajanus cajan L.) is the second most important pulse crop in
India after chickpea. It plays a critical role in the country's nutritional security, agricultural
economy, and soil health. India has a virtual monopoly on this crop, ranking first globally by
accounting for approximately 80% of the world's pigeon pea acreage and over 67% of global
production.
Nutritionally, it is a staple protein source (containing ~22.3% protein) for a large vegetarian
population and is rich in essential amino acids (like lysine and arginine), calcium, iron, and
phosphorus. Agronomically, it is a hardy, deep-rooted legume that fixes atmospheric nitrogen,
thereby improving soil fertility and making it an ideal component for crop rotation and
intercropping systems.
Season of Cultivation:
● Kharif (Monsoon) Season: Pigeon pea is predominantly cultivated as a rainfed Kharif
crop. Sowing generally takes place in June to July. The optimal temperature for its
vegetative growth during this season ranges between 26°C and 30°C.
● Rabi (Post-Rainy) Season: In specific regions of central and southern India,
shorter-duration varieties are cultivated during the Rabi season (sown in
September/October), requiring temperatures between 17°C and 22°C.
b) Total Water Requirement & Water Use Efficiency
(WUE)
Total Water Requirement: As a moderately drought-resistant crop, pigeon pea generally
requires between 500 mm to 600 mm of water per season, depending on the maturity duration
of the variety (early, medium, or late-maturing) and local agro-climatic conditions.
Water Use Efficiency (WUE): Water Use Efficiency varies dramatically based on the irrigation
method implemented:
● Under traditional flood irrigation , the WUE is relatively low, typically ranging from 1.5 to
2.0 kg/ha-mm .
● When advanced micro-irrigation is applied, WUE increases significantly. A field
experiment conducted at the ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering
(CIAE), Bhopal , demonstrated that adopting drip irrigation coupled with silver/black
plastic mulching can elevate the crop's WUE to an impressive 7.6 kg/ha-mm . This
practice minimizes evaporation, limits weed competition, and maximizes yield per drop of
water.
(Reference: Jadhav et al., 2018, "Growth, Yield, Economics, Water Use Efficiency... influenced
by Drip Irrigation with Plastic Mulch"; ICAR-CIAE)
c) Suitable Irrigation Methods
While predominantly grown as a rainfed crop, providing supplemental irrigation drastically
boosts yields. The most suitable irrigation methods include:
1. Drip Irrigation (Highly Recommended): Drip systems are the most efficient, saving 30%
to 70% of water compared to traditional methods. It delivers water directly to the root zone
and allows for "fertigation" (application of soluble N-P-K fertilizers directly through the
water), increasing fertilizer use efficiency up to 95%.
2. Ridge-and-Furrow / Broad Bed Furrow (BBF): For surface irrigation, the flat-bed or
basin method should be avoided to prevent water stagnation. Water should instead be
channeled through furrows between raised beds or ridges.
3. Sprinkler Irrigation: Useful in undulating terrains or sandy soils, but should be avoided
during the peak flowering stage to prevent mechanical flower drop.
d) Special Irrigation Management
Pigeon pea has a unique physiological trait: while it is tolerant to drought, it is highly sensitive
to waterlogging (excess moisture) , particularly during the first 50 to 60 days of its growth
cycle.
Special Management Practices:
● Drainage is Critical: Poor sub-surface drainage depletes soil oxygen, causing root
suffocation and encouraging fatal fungal diseases like Phytophthora blight and Fusarium
wilt.
● Raised Bed / BBF Planting: In heavy clay soils (like black cotton soils) or low-lying
areas, planting must be done on raised beds or ridges. This provides enough aeration for
the roots during heavy monsoon downpours and acts as a safe conduit for excess water
drainage.
● Controlled Supplemental Irrigation: Irrigation should only be scheduled when rainfall is
deficient. Over-watering must be strictly avoided.
e) Critical Crop Growth Stages & Response to Water
Stress
Because of its deep taproot system, pigeon pea can survive prolonged dry spells during its
vegetative phase. However, adequate soil moisture is absolutely non-negotiable during its
reproductive phases.
Critical Stages for Irrigation (ICAR Guidelines): If facing a prolonged drought, three
supplemental irrigations are necessary to prevent yield loss:
1. Branching Stage: ~30 Days After Sowing (DAS)
2. Flowering / Bud Initiation Stage: ~70 DAS
3. Podding / Grain Filling Stage: ~110 DAS
Response of the Crop to Water Stress:
● Flowering Stage (Most Sensitive): Research indicates that moisture stress imposed at
the 50% flowering stage is the most detrimental to the crop. It leads to severe flower drop
and failure of pod setting.
● Podding Stage: Drought stress during grain development interrupts nutrient
translocation, resulting in smaller pods, fewer seeds per pod, and a reduced 100-seed
weight, ultimately causing a drastic plunge in the final harvest yield.
(Reference: Bake et al., 2016, "Moisture Stress Effect on Pigeon Pea Yield and Growth
Attributing Characters", Int. Journal of Agriculture Sciences; ICAR Directorate of Pulses
Development)
Prepared systematically using references from: * FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)
Water Management Guidelines
● ICAR - Directorate of Pulses Development (DPD) Package of Practices
● Peer-reviewed Agricultural Research publications on Micro-irrigation and Crop Water
Stress.
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End of Document
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FAQs of Pigeon Pea Crop Report on Cultivation and Water Management

What are the primary irrigation methods for pigeon pea cultivation?
The report identifies several irrigation methods suitable for pigeon pea cultivation, emphasizing drip irrigation as the most efficient. Drip systems can save 30% to 70% of water compared to traditional methods, delivering water directly to the root zone. Other methods include ridge-and-furrow and sprinkler irrigation, each with specific applications based on soil type and terrain. Proper irrigation management is crucial, especially during critical growth stages to maximize yield.
What are the critical growth stages for pigeon pea that require irrigation?
Pigeon pea has three critical growth stages that necessitate supplemental irrigation to prevent yield loss. These stages include the branching stage at approximately 30 days after sowing, the flowering stage around 70 days after sowing, and the podding stage at about 110 days after sowing. Adequate moisture during these phases is essential to ensure proper flower setting and pod development, ultimately impacting the final harvest yield.
How does water stress affect pigeon pea yield?
Water stress during the flowering stage is particularly detrimental to pigeon pea, leading to severe flower drop and poor pod setting. Additionally, drought during the podding stage interrupts nutrient translocation, resulting in smaller pods and fewer seeds per pod. This stress can drastically reduce the final yield, highlighting the importance of effective water management throughout the growing season.
What are the total water requirements for pigeon pea cultivation?
Pigeon pea generally requires between 500 mm to 600 mm of water per season, depending on the variety and local conditions. This moderate drought-resistant crop can thrive with careful water management, particularly during critical growth phases. Understanding the water needs of pigeon pea is essential for farmers aiming to optimize production and ensure sustainable agricultural practices.
What role does pigeon pea play in soil health?
Pigeon pea is a legume that fixes atmospheric nitrogen, significantly improving soil fertility. Its deep-rooted nature allows it to access nutrients and moisture from deeper soil layers, enhancing overall soil health. This makes pigeon pea an ideal crop for intercropping and crop rotation systems, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and promoting soil biodiversity.
What are the benefits of using micro-irrigation for pigeon pea?
Micro-irrigation, particularly drip irrigation, offers numerous benefits for pigeon pea cultivation. It increases water use efficiency significantly, as demonstrated by field experiments that show WUE can reach up to 7.6 kg/ha-mm. This method minimizes evaporation, reduces weed competition, and maximizes yield per drop of water, making it a sustainable choice for farmers aiming to enhance productivity while conserving resources.
What are the seasonal cultivation practices for pigeon pea?
Pigeon pea is primarily cultivated during two seasons: Kharif and Rabi. The Kharif season involves sowing from June to July, with optimal temperatures for growth between 26°C and 30°C. In contrast, the Rabi season features shorter-duration varieties sown in September or October, requiring cooler temperatures between 17°C and 22°C. Understanding these seasonal practices is crucial for farmers to achieve successful yields.

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