Irrigation is an important aspect of pigeon pea farming. Pigeon pea is a drought-tolerant crop, but if it does not receive sufficient water during the vegetative and flowering stages, it can lead to poor growth and yield. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the irrigation requirement of pigeon pea and implement an appropriate irrigation strategy to achieve a successful crop.
The timing, frequency, and amount of water required for pigeon pea crop irrigation depend on various factors such as soil type, rainfall, temperature, and crop growth stage. Pigeon pea requires regular watering during the first 40-50 days after sowing for optimum germination and establishment. After root establishment, irrigation should be carried out every 8-10 days, depending on the soil moisture level.
In the absence of rainfall, pigeon pea crop requires at least 600-700 mm of water during the entire growing season. The water requirement may increase during the flowering and pod formation stages. However, overwatering the crops may lead to waterlogging and soil erosion, which can be detrimental to the crop growth.
Drip irrigation is a suitable method for pigeon pea farming as it allows for efficient use of water resources, reduces soil erosion, and optimizes crop yield. Drip irrigation ensures that water is delivered directly to the root zone of the plant, reducing water loss through evaporation and surface run-off.
In conclusion, appropriate irrigation management is critical to ensure optimum growth and maximum yield of pigeon pea crops. Farmers should be aware of the water requirements of pigeon pea at different growth stages and implement an irrigation strategy that matches the soil and climatic conditions of their region. Moreover, drip irrigation can be an ideal method to irrigate pigeon pea crops and to conserve the water resources. If farmers carefully manage irrigation and use drip irrigation method adequately, they can increase the yield of pigeon pea and thus have better income.