Cajan Cajan (l.) Huth - >>cajanus Cajan

Origin of Cajan Cajan (L.) Huth

Cajan cajan (L.) Huth, commonly known as pigeon pea or Cajanus cajan, is a perennial legume originating from India. It has been cultivated for thousands of years, with evidence dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Harappan civilization in the Indus Valley and the Mayans in Central America.

Common Names of Cajan Cajan (L.) Huth

Pigeon pea is known by various names around the world. In India, it is called arhar or tur, while in Africa, it is known as fio-fio or kadjinji. In Latin America, it is referred to as gandul or guandu, and in the Caribbean, it is called gungo peas or Congo peas.

Uses of Cajan Cajan (L.) Huth

Pigeon pea is a highly versatile and valuable crop, used both for food and non-food purposes. The seeds of pigeon pea can be consumed as a protein-rich food, either whole or split, and are commonly used in dishes such as dhal in India, akkra in West Africa, and rice and peas in the Caribbean. In addition to its food uses, pigeon pea is also used as a forage crop, a green manure crop, and a windbreak crop. Its deep taproots make it an excellent crop for improving soil fertility, and its ability to withstand drought and poor soil conditions makes it an important crop for smallholder farmers in developing countries.

General Appearance of Cajan Cajan (L.) Huth

Pigeon pea is a woody, perennial shrub that can grow up to 4 meters in height. It has a single stem with compound leaves that can reach up to 30 cm in length. The flowers are usually yellow or dark red, and are followed by elongated pods that contain up to four seeds. The seeds are typically beige or light brown in color, and are roughly 1 cm in diameter. Overall, pigeon pea is a hardy and resilient plant that can survive in a wide range of environments.

Growth conditions for Cajan cajan (L.) Huth

Cajan cajan (L.) Huth is a tropical legume commonly known as pigeonpea. The plant is grown for both its edible seeds and nitrogen fixation abilities. Cajan cajan can attain a height of 1-4 m, with an average life span of 5-7 years. The growth conditions for this plant are as follows:

Light requirements

Cajan cajan requires full sun exposure to thrive. Therefore, it should be planted in an area with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The plant can tolerate partial shade, but this affects its growth rate and yield.

Temperature requirements

Cajan cajan is well-suited to tropical and subtropical regions. The plant requires a warm climate, with an optimal temperature range of 25-35°C. Temperatures below 15°C or above 40°C can inhibit growth and development.

Soil requirements

The ideal soil type for Cajan cajan is well-drained with a pH range of 5.0-7.5. The plant can tolerate a range of soil textures, from sandy to clayey soils. However, the soil should be fertile, with adequate amounts of organic matter and nutrients, especially phosphorus. Waterlogged soils or those with poor drainage are not suitable for pigeonpea cultivation.

Overall, providing the appropriate growth conditions for Cajan cajan plays a key role in achieving higher yields and healthier crops.

Cultivation Methods

Cajan cajan, commonly known as pigeon pea or red gram, is a perennial plant that is drought resistant and thrives in subtropical and tropical regions. It grows up to 4 meters tall and approximately 75 cm wide. To cultivate pigeon pea, you need to:

• Choose a well-drained location with full sun to partial shade.
• Prepare the soil by loosening it to a depth of 30 cm and mixing organic matter, preferably compost and aged manure, to enrich it.
• Plant the seeds in rows or in a broadcasting manner, about 2.5 cm deep, and space the plants approximately 75 cm apart.
• Water the seeds regularly to maintain a moist environment.
• After germination, reduce watering to once a week but deeply to encourage deep roots development.

Watering Needs

Water is crucial for the growth and yield of pigeon pea plants. This plant requires regular watering in its initial stage to help the seeds germinate and establish strong roots. Once the plant establishes, you have to reduce its watering frequency and increase the amount of water. Pigeon pea needs about 25 to 30 inches of water per growing season, preferably through rainfall. However, if rainfall is insufficient, supplemental irrigation is necessary. As the plant matures, reduce watering to every two weeks to encourage nitrogen fixation, which is critical for its survival.

Fertilization

Cajan cajan is a legume, which means that it can fix nitrogen, making it self-sufficient. However, adding organic matter, particularly compost and aged manure, to the soil before planting can enhance the soil structure and support microbial activity. A balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 4-2-2 or 6-3-3 can also enhance the foliage growth and increase yields. It's best to apply the fertilizer in two or more applications with the first application before planting, and the rest after four to five weeks of growth.

Pruning

Pigeon pea plants require minimal pruning. However, it's good practice to cut back the plant to one or two of its main stems to encourage bushier growth. Additionally, removing the lower branches can improve airflow, prevent the spread of diseases, and increase sunlight penetration to reach the lower leaves. If you desire to harvest the pigeon pea pods for consumption, a hard pruning before planting can increase yields and the number of branches produced.

Propagation of Cajan cajan (L.) Huth

Cajan cajan (L.) Huth, commonly known as pigeon pea, is a nutritious and drought-resistant legume that is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. Pigeon pea can be propagated through both sexual and asexual means, including:

Seed Propagation

Seeds used for propagation are obtained from mature pods that are sun-dried for a week. The seeds should be planted in well-drained soil that has been tilled and enriched with organic manure. A spacing of 45-60 cm between rows and 10-20 cm between individual plants is recommended. Seed propagation is recommended under rainfall conditions where water availability is not a limiting factor.

Cuttings Propagation

For vegetative propagation, stem cuttings are used and should be collected from 4-6-month-old plants. Terminal cuttings of about 20-30 cm in length should be planted in the nursery beds at 45° slanting position with about two-thirds of the cutting inside soil. The bed should be constantly moistened, and germination should occur within two weeks. The rooted cuttings are transplanted into the main field at the onset of the rainy season.

Layering Propagation

Layering is another vegetative propagation method where a branch is bent to the ground, wounded at the point of contact, and covered with soil to encourage rooting. When new shoots emerge from the buried part, they can be separated and planted in the nursery and then transplanted to the main field. This method is particularly useful when planting materials are limited.

Grafting Propagation

Grafting is another propagation option, which involves joining plant parts from two different varieties. Pigeon pea can be grafted at a young stage, generally within 1-2 months after germination. The scion variety is selected for its high yield and disease resistance, and the rootstock variety for its vigorous growth. Grafting has been found to improve resistance to waterlogging, drought stress, and some pests and diseases.

Disease Management for Cajan cajan (L.) Huth

Cajan cajan (L.) Huth, commonly known as pigeon pea, is a legume crop. It is susceptible to several diseases, which can significantly reduce yield and quality. Disease management in Cajan cajan involves a combination of cultural, chemical, and biological control methods.

Common Diseases

Some of the common diseases that affect Cajan cajan include:

• Fusarium wilt: This is a fungal disease that affects the roots and lower stems of the plant. It causes wilting, yellowing, and stunting of the plant. The disease can be managed by planting resistant varieties, crop rotation, and soil sterilization.
• Sclerotium rot: This is a soil-borne disease that affects the entire plant. It causes stem rot, leaf yellowing, and wilting. The disease can be managed by practicing crop rotation, removing infected plants, and using soil fungicides.
• Phytophthora blight: This is a fungal disease that affects the roots and stem of the plant. It causes wilting, yellowing, and rotting. To manage the disease, plant resistant varieties and practice crop rotation.

Disease Management Methods

To manage diseases in Cajan cajan, these are some methods that can be applied:

• Plant resistant varieties: Choosing resistant cultivars can help reduce the incidence of diseases.
• Crop rotation: This involves changing the crop planted in a particular field after each growing season. It reduces the build-up of soil-borne diseases and pests.
• Soil sterilization: This is a process of killing soil-borne pathogens by steaming the soil before planting. It helps to reduce the incidence of soil-borne diseases.
• Use of fungicides: Fungicides can be used to control fungal diseases that affect the plant. However, their use should be combined with cultural methods to maximize effectiveness.

Pest Management for Cajan cajan (L.) Huth

Pests can also cause significant damage to Cajan cajan, resulting in yield loss and reduced quality. Pest management in Cajan cajan mainly involves cultural and biological control methods.

Common Pests

Some common pests that affect Cajan cajan are:

• Pigeon pea pod borer: This is a common pest that attacks the pods of the plant. It causes significant yield loss. Control measures include handpicking of the affected pods and use of neem-based insecticides.
• Pigeon pea leaf miner: This is a pest that affects the leaves of the plant. It causes significant leaf damage, which can reduce the overall productivity of the plant. Biological control methods such as the use of natural enemies like parasitoids and predators can be used to manage the pest.
• Thrips: Thrips are tiny insects that feed on the leaves, flowers, and pods of the plant. They cause damage by transmitting viral diseases and reducing the quality of the plant. Control measures include the use of insecticides and the removal of weed hosts that harbor the pests.

Pest Management Methods

To manage pests in Cajan cajan, these are some methods that can be applied:

• Cultural control: This involves the use of cultural practices to reduce pest populations. For example, removing crop residues and plowing fields after harvesting can reduce pest populations.
• Biological control: This involves the use of natural enemies like predators, parasitoids, and pathogens to manage pest populations. They are often a more sustainable option compared to chemical control methods.
• Use of insecticides: Insecticides can be used to manage pest populations. However, their use should be combined with cultural and biological control methods to reduce the risk of pest resistance developing.