EFFECT OF SEVERITY OF PRUNING ON GROWTH, YIELD AND SURVIVABILITY OF PIGEON PEA (Cajanus cajan) IN PIGEON PEA/PEPPER ALLEY CROPPING

Abstract

A study was conducted at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria to determine the effect ofseverity of pruning on performance and survival of pigeon pea and fruit yield of pepper in a pigeonpea/pepper alley cropping. Six treatments arranged in randomized complete block design include pigeonpea pruned to 25 cm, 50 cm, 75 cm and 100 cm above the soil, un-pruned (check) and solepepper plot. In 2007, pruning of pigeon pea was done on 6th of August- at 12 WAP (weeks after planting)across all pruned treatments. This was repeated in pigeon pea pruned to 75 cm and 100 cm at 19WAP (27th September), and partially on treatment cut to 50 cm at 22 WAP (18thOctober) in 2007. In2008 pruning across all treatments was carried out once at 17 WAP on 6th October. The total prunings,days to 50% flowering, height at flowering, grain yield percentage survival of pigeon pea were significantlydifferent (p<0.05). Pigeon pea flowering was 6 -21 days and 25-46 days earlier (p<0.05) in theun–pruned plot relative to other treatments in the two years. Pigeon pea pruned to 25 cm had the least(p<0.05) percentage survival. Grain yield was highest in un-pruned plot and least in plot pruned to 25cm. Pruning pigeon pea to 50 cm above the soil was the best in terms of combining fresh fruit yield ofpepper, with optimum pruning biomass, early flowering, grain yield and survivability of pigeon pea.