Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Coimbatore during NEM season of 1993-94 and SWM season of 1994 to find the optimum spacing and P level for seed production of three green manure crops, pillipesara, sunnhemp and velvet beans. Velvet beans produced the highest seed yield of 2.03 t/ha in the NEM season while sunnhemp produced a high yield of 1.13 t/ha in the SWM season. Pillipesara produced a maximum of 795 kg/ha in the NEM season. Seed production varied with season. Highest seed yield was obtained at 60 x 20 cm in all the three crops. Application of 50 kg P20s/ha significantly increased the yield components and seed yield. High net returns and BC ratio were obtained in velvet beans grown in NEM season.

Keywords: Pillipesara, Sunnhemp, velvet beans, seed production