Effect of different sowing dates on yield contributing traits of Mash bean (Vigna mungo L.)

Optimum sowing time and a promising variety are of prime importance to catch potential yield of any crop. Sowing time affects plant physiological and morphological specifications like effect on vegetative and reproductive periods, harvest time, yield and its quality. To achieve good yield, crop must be sown at appropriate time. In this regard, yield response of two mash bean genotypes namely mash-97 and ES-1 sown at different sowing dates was studied under field conditions during Kharif 2009 and 2010. Results of study showed that number of fruit bearing branches, 1000-grain weight, pods per plant, seeds per plant and grain yield were significantly affected by sowing dates and higher seed yield was recorded when crop was sown at June 28. The genotype ES-1 gave significantly the highest seed yield compared to mash-97.