Source Year: 1998

In Orissa, India, the scope of pigeon peas as an intercrop in rubber plantations was studied. The effect of shade on the growth and seed output of pigeon pea was assessed. A gradual increase in shade progressively decreased the plant height, number of branches, number of pods, seeds per plant, and grain yield/ha. General growth parameters and pusle yield data of pigeon pea were high in the first, second and third years of rubber (GT 1) growth, but were abruptly reduced in the fourth year due to tree canopy closure. It is concluded that pigeon pea can be grown profitably in the inter-row spaces of rubber in the first 3 years.