Screening Blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) Varieties for Shade Tolerance in Coconut Gardens of Southern Laterites of Kerala

摘要

Afield experiment was conducted to examine the prospects of blackgram cultivation in coconut garden as an intercrop during Rabi 2019. Twelve promising blackgram varieties with three cultures were evaluated for their yield performance and shade tolerance in coconut garden with palms aged above 40 years experiencing a light intensity between 40-46.5 Klux. Results of the study revealed that the performance varied significantly with respect to yield attributes and yield among the varieties and cultures.Sumanjana and culture 4.6.1 flowered much early compared to other varieties (34 days) and higher number of pods per plant was in DBGV-5 (23.67) which was on par with Sumanjana, VBN - 6, VBN - 5 and CO - 6. The variety DBGV-5 recorded superior yield attributes and yield (1183.33 kg ha"1) followed by VBN - 5 (916.67 kg ha"1) and Sumanjana (906.67 kg ha"1) under shaded situations in coconut garden. The study identified DBGV-5, Sumanjana and VBN - 5 as promising varieties for intercropping in partially shaded situation in coconut garden with superior yield attributes.