Influence of seeding time, fertility level and genotype on productivity, quality and profitability of garden pea (Pisum sativum)

The field experiment was conducted during 2017–18 and 2018–19 at Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, India, to assess the response of pea (Pisum sativum L.) genotypes (‘DPP-SP 6’, ‘DPP-SP 22’ and ‘Pb 89’) to sowing dates (26 October and 10 November) and fertility levels (control, 100 and 125% NPK). The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design and each treatment replicated thrice. Early-sown pea (26 October) recorded higher pod yield (10.4 t/ha), being 24% more than late-sown crop along with better pods/plant, average pod weight, harvest duration and economic returns. Higher fertility level at 125% of recommended NPK (62.5:75:75 kg/ha) dose resulted in the maximum pod yield which was about 6% better than 100% NPK (50:60:60 kg/ha) over the years and also showed superior performance for yield attributes and economic returns. Among the genotypes, ‘DPP-SP 6’ significantly superseded ‘DPP-SP 22’ by 15%, and ‘Pb 89’ by 25% for pod yield and also provided higher net returns (`1,43,000/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (2.78). The interactions effects revealed that early sowing of pea genotypes by following either 100% or 125% of recommended dose of NPK (100% NPK; 50-60-60 kg/ha) would be a better preposition for enhancing productivity and profitability under north-western Himalayan conditions.