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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #111966
Title: WATER UTILIZATION OF PIGEONPEA USED AS FORAGE VS GRAIN

Author
item Rao, Srinivas
item Williams, Robert

Submitted to: International Chickpea Newsletter
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2000
Publication Date: 9/1/2000
Citation: RAO, S.C., WILLIAMS, R.D. 2000. WATER UTILIZATION OF PIGEONPEA USED AS FORAGE VS GRAIN. INTERNATIONAL CHICKPEA NEWSLETTER. v 7. p. 75-77.

Interpretive Summary: Abstract Only.

Technical Abstract: Pigeonpea, a summer grain legume, has the potential to fill the forage deficit period in late fall when wheat is unavailable for grazing. However, the impact of pigeonpea on soil water availability for the following wheat crop is unknown. Pigeonpea was seeded in late May. Treatments include clipped (removal of top 1/3rd of the plant in August) and unclipped. Soil profile moisture was measured at 15 cm intervals to 6 cm every 3 to 4 d. Total biomass production of clipped and unclipped treatments were 168 and 250 g per plant, respectively. At 0-15 cm depth there was no difference in soil water content, whereas, at 15-30 cm depth pigeonpea utilized 6% more soil water compared to summer fallow plots. Below 30 cm no differences in soil water was observed. This suggest that pigeonpea did not significantly effect soil water availability for the establishment of winter wheat affect in the southern Great plains.