GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF PIGEONPEA (CAJANUS-CAJAN) GENOTYPES FOR USE IN ALLEY CROPPING AND THEIR INTERACTIONS WITH THE ENVIRONMENT

Twenty-one genotypes of pigeonpea were evaluated for their alley cropping potential in two environments differing in soils and climate on the island of Oahu/Hawaii. All entries were planted in hedgerows in August 1988 and were cut 1 m above ground level 229, 290 and 342 days after sowing. Dry matter yields for seven selected genotypes from the three cuttings combined ranged from 691 to 4083 g m-2, with significant differences between genotypes and significant genotype x environment interactions. Genotypes rarely combined more than two desirable alley cropping characters, suggesting a distinct role for selected genotypes in different alley cropping environments. None of the effects influencing growth and yield were constant over levels of the other factors studied, indicating a need for multi-locational testing and standardized sampling intervals in future genotype evaluations with perennial pigeonpea.