Evaluation of Morpho-physiological Variations in Pigeon Pea for Weed Suppression and Yield Potentials in Southern Agro-ecologies of Nigeria

Abstract

A study was conducted at Ibadan (Derived savanna), Ife (Rainforest), and Kishi (southern Guinea savanna-northern fringe) to ascertain the agronomic potentials and variation in early interference traits for weed suppression in pigeon pea in southern agro-ecologies of Nigeria. The experimental site was marked out into 4 x 4 m plots and twenty (20) genotypes were randomly assigned with three replicates. Results showed that across genotypes in all locations, NSWCC-29B-1 had the tallest plants. However, NSWCC-46 had the shortest plants. Genotypes sown at Ife were the tallest across locations. This might have resulted from superior growth factors in Ife. Tall crop plants compete and suppress weeds more than short crop plants. NSWCC-19 had the largest leaf area across genotypes and locations at 20 WAP. Genotypes sown at Ife had the broadest leaves across the locations. Large leaf area enhances canopy formation, weed suppression, and light interception for improved grain yield. NSWCC-7D had the broadest canopy width; though, similar to NSWCC-24, NSWCC-29B-1, NSWCC-27A, and AO/TB 79-9. Broad canopy width is loftier for weed suppression and crop yield. NSWCC-24 had the highest grain yield across genotypes in all locations. Plants sown in Ibadan and Ife had better and similar grain yields than Kishi, which was about 50% lower than other locations. NSWCC-7D, NSWCC-29A, NSWCC-35, NSWCC-46B, NSWCC-35A, NSWCC-34, NSWCC-29B-1, NSWCC-27A, NSWCC-24, CITA 3, AO/TB 79-9 and NSWCC/8B showed promising potentials for weed suppression and grain yield in all the agro-ecologies.