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Evaluation of intra and inter row spacing on the seed yield and yield component of Field pea (Pisum sativum L.)
Authors: Yayeh Bitew, Fekremariam Asargew, Gobezie Chakelie
Number of views: 515
Among the high land legume crops, field pea is the second important stable
food grain and it is important low-input break crops throughout the highlands
of Ethiopia. The experiment on the effect of intra and inter-row spacing on
filed pea was conducted for three year at Adet Agricultural research station
and for one year at Debere tabor and Mota research station. Two inter-row
spacing (20cm and 25cm) and three intra-row spacing’s (5 cm, 10 cm and 15
cm) were evaluated using two released varieties (Sefinesh and Megeri) in
factorial randomized complete block design with 3 replications. The data was
analyzed using SAS-JMP5 (2002) computer software. Except the intra row
spacing and the interaction effect between variety and intra row spacing, most
the main and interaction effects were not significantly affect the agronomic
attributes of both varieties. The highest and the lowest plant height for both
varieties were recorded at the lowest and the highest intra row spacing,
respectively. However, the highest seed yield and thousand seed weight were
recorded when both varieties were planted at 10 cm intra row spacing. In the
case of interaction effect between variety and intra row spacing, the highest
seed yield was recorded when Megeri was planted at 10 cm intra row spacing
but statistically on par with 5 cm and when Sefinesh was planted at 10 cm, 15
cm intra row spacing. However, both varieties gave the maximum seed yield
when they were planted at 10 cm intra row spacing. On the other hand ,inter
row spacing (20 cm and 25 cm) and the interaction effect between variety and
inter row spacing did not gave significant yield difference. In conclusion,
planting both varieties of field pea at 20 cm inter row spacing and 10 cm intra
row spacing gave the optimum seed yield for both varieties in all
experimental and similar areas. This study demonstrated that planting both
field pea varieties at 20 cm/25cm inter and 10 cm intra row spacing
significantly modify field pea yield and yield components by for exploiting
the resources of the environment and gave a higher seed yield compared with
the other plant spacing, suggesting that they could be used as management
tools for increased yield in the high lands of the region. However, further
separate research for each variety in different agro ecology of the region
should be conducted to see the combined effect of more inter and intra row
spacing.