Yield and weed suppression by pigeon pea cultivars in rotation with tomato and pepper

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted at the Lajas and Juana Díaz Agricultural Experiment Substations to evaluate seven pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth] cultivars for yields, weed suppression, and the impact on the subsequent tomato [Lycopersicon lycopersicum (L.) Karst, ex Farw] and pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plantings. Trials started ¡n July 1993 and ended in June 1995. Treatments consisted of incorporation of plant stubble from seven different pigeon pea cultivars into the soil. Cultivars Kaki, 2B-Bushy, PR 147, Blanco de Yauco, Guerrero, Cortada, and Line 84 were grown from mid-July to late January of the following year. Tomato and pepper seedlings were transplanted into the plots six weeks after incorporation of whole plant stubble of pigeon pea. Pod yields of all cultivars, except Guerrero, were higher in Juana Díaz than those of Lajas. Compared with control plots, pigeon pea did not affect weed densities at Lajas, but at Juana Díaz all cultivars reduced weed densities in tomato and pepper grown in 1994 and 1995. The weed species suppressed by pigeon pea in the tomato planting at Juana Díaz were Amaranthus dubius Mart, ex Thell, Cyperus rotundus L., Echinochloa colona (L.) Link, and Trianthema portulacastrum L.