Effect of Planting Geometry on Yield and Quality of Moth Bean [Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal] Varieties under Arid Conditions
Mehram Meghwal
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Agriculture University, Jodhpur -342304, India.
Surendra Kumar *
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Agriculture University, Jodhpur -342304, India.
Mahendra Junjariya
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Agriculture University, Jodhpur -342304, India.
Ramdev Sutaliya
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Agriculture University, Jodhpur -342304, India.
Sarita
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Agriculture University, Jodhpur -342304, India.
Rekha Ratanoo
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Agriculture University, Jodhpur -342304, India.
Rakesh Kumar
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Agriculture University, Jodhpur -342304, India.
Chirag Meena
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Agriculture University, Jodhpur -342304, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted at Agriculture Research Sub Station Samdari, Balotra (Rajasthan) during Kharif season of 2024. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with three replications. Total 12 treatment combinations consisted of two varieties RMO-435 (V1) and CAZRI Moth-5 (V2) three plant to plant spacing 10cm (P1), 15cm (P2) and 20 cm (P1) and two row to row spacing 30 cm (R1) and 45 cm (R2).The results revealed significant varietal differences in yield and quality of moth bean. Results indicated that the variety CAZRI Moth-5 recorded significantly higher seed yield (642 kg/ha), straw yield (2531 kg/ha) and biological yield (3173 kg/ha), protein content and protein yield (23.26% and 149 kg/ha, respectively). Among planting geometries, 45 × 15 cm spacing resulted in the highest seed yield (kg/ha), biological yield ((kg/ha)), straw yield ((kg/ha)), protein content (%) and protein yield ((kg/ha) to a better balance between plant population and individual plant performance. Interaction effects showed that CAZRI Moth-5 at 45 × 15 cm spacing was the most remunerative treatment, optimizing yield and quality. The study suggests that adopting proper planting geometry can significantly enhance moth bean productivity in arid regions.
Keywords: Planting geometry, seed yield, protein content, crop productivity, plant population