Improvement in Growth and Yield Attributes of Cluster Bean Through Optimization of Sowing Time and Plant Spacing Under Climate Change Scenario

Abstract Cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) yield have plateaued due to reduction in rainfall and rise in temperature. Therefore, its production cycle could not get appropriate water and temperature. It becomes important to standardize sowing time and plant spacing of cluster bean in changing climate scenario to get higher productivity. Therefore, a field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of four sowing times (15th May, 1st June, 15th June, and 1st July) and three plant spacings (10, 12 and 15 cm) on crop growth, yield, and physiological functions of cluster bean genotype BR-2017. The sowing times (15th May, 1st June, 15th June, and 1st July) were placed in the main plot while plant spacing (10, 12 and 15 cm) were maintained in subplots. Results showed that 1st June sowing performed better over 15th May, 15th June, and 1st July while plant spacing 15 cm about in all sowing times showed higher results on growth and yield parameters of cluster bean over plant spacing 10, 12, and 15 cm. The 1st June sowing time at 15 cm plant spacing showed 8.0, 22.7, and 28.5% higher grains pod-1 as compared to 15th May, 15th June, and 1st July sowing respectively. The chord diagram clearly indicates that the crop has received optimum environmental conditions when sown 1st June over other sowing times. In conclusion, 1st June sowing with 15 cm plant spacing could be a good option to achieve maximum productivity of cluster bean under changing climate scenario.