Indian Society of Genetics & Plant Breeding
India is a world leader in exploitation of heterosis in F1
hybrids in different crops and vegetables. Pigeonpea is
often cross pollinated species and with availability of male
sterility it became amenable for F1 hybrid breeding. Initial
efforts in hybrid development in pigeonpea started in the
1980’s with genetic male sterility (GMS) but for more than
past two decades the thrust is on hybrids based on
cytoplasmic-genic male sterility (CMS). Among five
different available sources of cytoplasmic male sterility
viz., A1 to A5, only A2 and A4 have been used in hybrid
pigeonpea breeding. A wide range of variation in maturity,
plant type etc. is now available in the CMS lines and fertility
restorers (FR). Encouraging performance of the hybrids
in evaluation trials has been recorded. Heterotic hybrids
like AKPH 11303 and AKPH 11324 having more than 30
percent yield superiority will be useful for commercial
exploitation. Various aspects of improvement of the
parental lines, development of heterotic hybrids and hybrid
seed production technology for better seed availability are
reviewed.
Keywords: Heterosis, hybrid, pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan
Year: 2012
Volume: 72
Issue: 3
Article DOI: N/A
Print ISSN: 0019-5200
Online ISSN: 0975-6906
K. B. Wanjar info_circle
S. T. Rathod info_circle
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