Variability in soil properties influencing pigeonpea (Cajanus cajana L.) yield: a multivariate statistical analysis

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<ns3:p> <ns3:bold>Aims: </ns3:bold> The aim of the study was to reveal the variability in soil properties influencing pigeonpea ( <ns3:italic>Cajanus cajana L.</ns3:italic> ) seed yield under semi-arid rainfed condition. </ns3:p> <ns3:p> <ns3:bold>Methods: </ns3:bold> Soils were initially classified into series level and further these series were divided into soil-phase units. For two site years <ns3:italic>viz.</ns3:italic> , 2018-19 and 2019-20, surface soil samples from each soil-phase unit were collected before sowing of pigeonpea and subsequently crop growth parameters at critical stages were recorded. </ns3:p> <ns3:p> <ns3:bold>Results: </ns3:bold> The principal component analysis with varimax rotation resulted in seven components for both the site years, having eigenvalues greater than one, explained more than 80% of the variability. The step wise linear regression analysis showed that the pigeonpea seed yield was linearly correlated with PC3 ( <ns3:italic>p</ns3:italic> <0.01), PC4 ( <ns3:italic>p</ns3:italic> <0.01) and PC7 ( <ns3:italic>p</ns3:italic> <0.05) of soil properties with R <ns3:sup>2</ns3:sup> = 0.679, during 2018-19. Whereas, during 2019-20, the seed yield was linearly correlated with PC1 ( <ns3:italic>p</ns3:italic> <0.01), PC3 ( <ns3:italic>p</ns3:italic> <0.01) and PC6 ( <ns3:italic>p</ns3:italic> <0.05) with R <ns3:sup>2</ns3:sup> = 0.677. In site year 1, the available P <ns3:sub>2</ns3:sub> O <ns3:sub>5</ns3:sub> , <ns3:sub/> Fe, Zn, S, Cu, number of pods, surface soil moisture determined the yield. In site year 2, the available K <ns3:sub>2</ns3:sub> O, P <ns3:sub>2</ns3:sub> O <ns3:sub>5</ns3:sub> , Fe, Zn, S, clay, CEC and available water content determined the yield. All these variables together explain variability in yield. </ns3:p>