Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #103181
Title: WATER UTILIZATION OF PIGEONPEA TREATMENTS USED AS FORAGE VS GRAIN

Author
item Rao, Srinivas
item Williams, Robert

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: RAO, S.C., WILLIAMS, R.D. 1999. WATER UTILIZATION OF PIGEONPEA TREATMENTS USED AS FORAGE VS GRAIN. AGRONOMY ABSTRACTS. v. 91. Abstract p. 105.

Interpretive Summary: Abstract Only.

Technical Abstract: Pigeonpea, a summer legume, has been evaluated as a forage when summer forages are in decline and wheat is unavailable for grazing. However, the impact of pigeonpea on soil water availability for the wheat crop is unknown. Pigeonpea (GA-2) was seeded in the last week of May. Treatments include clipped (removal of top 1/3^rd of the plant in August) and unclipped. Soil profile moisture was measured at 15 cm intervals to 60 cm every 3 to 4 d. Total biomass production between clipped and unclipped treatments were 168 and 250 g plant^1, respectively. At 0 to 15 cm depth there was no difference in soil water content. At 15 to 30 cm depth more soil water was utilized by pigeonpea: 6% as compared with fallow plots. Below 30 cm no differences in soil moisture were observed. Overall, pigeonpea did not significantly effect the soil moisture availability for the establishment of winter wheat crop in the southern Great Plains Region. .