Diseases: Fusarium Wilt is usually the most serious; it is a soil-borne fungus,
controlled with a 3–5 year crop rotation and/or resistant varieties. There are also a
number of diseases caused by viruses, such as Pigeon Pea Mosaic.
YIELD
Commonly achieved yields of dried pigeon pea seed are from about 250 to 900
kg/ha when intercropped, and 1.7–3.5 MT/ha when in pure stand.
FAO estimated the global average yield for 2004 was 721 kg/ha, with a high in
Trinidad and Tobago of 2.7 MT/ha and a low of 479 kg/ha in Panama.
Green pods harvested from pure stands should yield 1–5 MT/ha.
UTILISATION
Pigeon peas are potentially immensely useful and are a fine example of a multi-
purpose crop, which can be used to satisfy a vast range of needs, listed below:
- good source of Vitamin B, methionine and cystine. Normally used in the form
of “split peas” soaked in water for several hours, then either boiled, or pounded
and then fried or steamed. Often eaten with maize, it is said to be more - Fresh, green seed is eaten raw as a vegetable in many countries and can be
canned. - Green pods can be boiled and eaten as a vegetable or in curries.
- Animal fodder—either fresh plants can be fed or grazed, or dried plants can be
ground into a meal for winter or dry season fodder. - Green manure, support crop, windbreak, shade crop and erosion control.
- Dry stalks/stems—used for firewood, thatching, basket-making and charcoal.
- Traditional medicines and raising silkworms.
LIMITATIONS
Mature, dry grain contains 15–32% protein (24% on average) and is also anutritious when eaten with rice. The seed can be germinated to produce sprouts;
small-seeded varieties or crushed seed can be used as poultry food.181
Humid conditions reduce yields, while dry conditions can cause shattering.Pigeon pea plants are sensitive to frost, acidic soil and waterlogging.
The germination rate falls rapidly in humid conditions.varieties.The plants are often slow to reach maturity, particularly the older, traditional