Comparative Performance of Mungbean and Urdbean Genotypes Under Different Dates of Sowing During Kharifseason

Abstract

Pulses are major consti tuent of Indian diet for providing protein rich food to vegetarian masses, feed & fodder to livestock and growmg of these improve the soil health. The country ranks first (24.45 mha) among pulse growing countries with production of 13.67 mt, however, due to poor productivity the share towards global pulse production is just 26.0% as against 36.6 % share in area (Singh 2006). Thus, despite increase in production, per capita pulse availability has declined from 69 g/capita/ day (1960) to 37 glcapita /day in 2004 (Chaturvedi and Ni, 2005) as against the WHO norms of 80g/capita/day To meet out the growmg protein reqUirement. Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) and urdbean (Vigna mungo l.) may play a prominent rote among pulses. which currently occupies an area of 3 1 and 3.25 m ha respectively. Keeping above facts in view. the investigation was conducted for 2 years (2004- 05) at Crop Research Centre, SVB Patel University of Agric. & Technology, Meerut, dunng kharif season to work out optimum sowing time and suitable genotypes for westem U P region Two field experiments were separately conducted for mungbean and urdbean consisting 9 treatment combinations (3 genotypes & 3 dates of sowing viz. June 25. July 15, August 4) laid out in R.B. D. with 3 replications. The genotypes tested for mungbean were Pant Mung 2. PDM 54, & K 851 and Pant U19, Pant U 35 & NDU 1 for urdbean. Sowing time had remarkable effect on growth and yield behavior of mungbean and urdbean genotypes. However, no significant interaction between genotypes and dates of sowing was recorded. In case of Mung bean, June 25 was found to be optimum sowing time for better productivity (1248 kg/ha), higher net returns (Rs. 12043/ha) and B: C ratio (1.57), however the delay declined yields (1141 kg/ha) as well other parameters. Among mungbean cultivars, Pant Mung-2 (1180 kg/ha) proved superior followed by PDM 54(1131 kglha). Similarly, the optimum time of sowmg for urdbean was June 25 giving yields of (1217 kg/ha), higher net returns (Rs. 11475/ha) and B. C ratio (1.45). However, the sowing of urdbean may be delayed upto July 15 without significant decline in productivity (1169 kg/ha) in contrast to mungbean. Urdbean genotype Pant u 35 (1226 kg/ha), proved better option. seconded by Pant U