Seed Yield and Proximate Composition of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) Seeds from Varying Planting Distances

Abstract, International Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, 2017

The study examined the effects of varying planting distances on seed yield and proximate composition (crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF), ether extractives (EE), ash and nitrogen free extractives (NFE) of seeds of Cajanus cajan from varying planting distances. Treatments were three planting distances (Treatment A: 30cm x 30cm; Treatment B: 45cm x 45cm and Treatment C: 60cm x 60cm). Each planting distance was randomly allocated three seed beds in a completely randomized design. Total seed yields from Treatments A, B and C were 1,024, 1,936 and 1,912kg/ha, respectively. Seed yields on Treatments B and C were significantly (p<0.05) higher than the seed yield of Treatment A. Ether extractives content of Cajanus cajan seeds on Treatment B were significantly (p<0.05) higher than the values recorded for seeds from Treatments A and C. Treatments comparisons of EE content of seeds from Treatments A and C were not significant (p>0.05); EE content of seeds were independent of planting distances.