Transforming Rainfed Pigeonpea Cultivation in India: The Impact of Complete Mechanization on Growth, Productivity and Energy Indices
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Pigeonpea is a leguminous, long duration and wide spaced crop. Performing labour intensive, agronomic operations timely from land preparation to post harvest is expensive since rural to urban migration has become a major problem. There is a dire need to evaluate the effects of complete mechanization and suggest options for reducing cost of production, augment the productivity, profitability and energy use efficiency in pigeonpea. Methods: A large plot experiment was conducted in pigeonpea for two years (kharif 2019-20 and 2020-21) under rainfed conditions in an alfisol with two treatments viz., Conventional practices (CPs) and Mechanization practices (MPs). The recorded data was analysed through a two sample t-test for statistical significance. It was carried out at Agricultural Research Station, Tornala, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad, India. Result: Mechanization practices (1362 kg ha-1) have increased the pigeonpea seed yield by 16.51% over conventional practices (1169 kg ha-1) besides saving 42.5 man-days and 67.5 hours ha-1. MPs have not only reduced the total cost by Rs. 6,745 ha-1, but also enhanced the net returns by Rs. 18,225 ha-1. Higher infiltration rate, net energy and energy output efficiency over CPs helped substantiate the results.
DOI: 10.18805/lr-5365
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4405261129