Response of Different Row Ratios of Soybean + Pigeon Pea Intercropping and Sowing Times to Soybean Growth Dynamics

Abstract

Soybean–pigeon pea intercropping is widely practiced in rainfed regions to improve land-use efficiency, crop productivity, and system sustainability under variable climatic conditions. Proper sowing time and row arrangement play an important role in optimizing crop growth and resource utilization. The experiment was conducted at the AICRP for dryland agriculture Dr. PDKV, Akola, situated at 20°42' North latitude and 77°02' East longitude during season of kharif 2023-24 and 2024-25. To determine the effect of different row ratios of soybean + pigeon pea intercropping and various sowing times on soybean growth dynamics. Based on a two-year investigation the result was presented directly from pooled data. The experiment was laid out in factorize randomize complete block design with three replications. There are twelve treatment combinations, comprising of three sowing times i.e D1- Normal sown (Onset of monsoon), D2- 15 days after D1 and D3 30 days after D1 and four intercropping row proportions i.e I1- 8:1 (soybean + pigeon pea), I2- 6:1 (soybean + pigeon pea), I3- 4:1 (soybean + pigeon pea) and I4- 5:2 (soybean + pigeon pea). The result revealed that, the maximum growth dynamic for dry matter was found in normal sown (28 MW) soybean crop. Normal sown soybean (28 MW) recorded significantly higher absolute growth rate during 31–45, 46–60 and 76 DAS to harvest compared to the second and third sowings, and remained at par with the second sowing during 46–60 DAS. It also showed significantly higher relative growth rate (0.0698 g g-1 day-1) than second and third sowings and was at par with the second sowing during 31–45 DAS. Net assimilation rate was highest in normal sowing during 30–45 DAS (0.0757 g dm-2 day-1), remaining at par with the second sowing, while later stages were not significantly affected by sowing time. Therefore, growth dynamic is not influenced significantly by different intercropping row ratios at any growth stage of crop.