Understanding Trait Architectures to Accelerate Pigeonpea (Cajanus Cajan) Improvement Insights from Breeding and Multi-omics

Roychowdhury, R and Rangari, S K and Moghiya, A and Gangurde, S S and Gangashetty, P I and Jaba, J and Choudhary, S and Sharma, M and Mayes, S and Dixit, G P and Pandey, M K (2026) Understanding Trait Architectures to Accelerate Pigeonpea (Cajanus Cajan) Improvement Insights from Breeding and Multi-omics. In: Designing Pigeonpea Genome for a Future-Ready Crop. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp. 110-134. ISBN 9781003603092

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Abstract

Although pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), a pivotal grain legume crop of semiarid tropics, has immense biological and socioeconomic significance, genetic improvement in this crop compared to other field crops, such as legumes like soybean or chickpea, in particular, has lagged. Understanding the complex architecture of traits with economic values, viz., abiotic stress tolerance, disease resistance, nutritional enrichment, and yield enhancement, recent advances made in omics technologies bring tremendous promise to speed up pigeonpea breeding. In combination with their interactions with breeding and multi-omics, contributing to the clarification of trait architecture, this chapter addresses general physiological and agronomic processes, as well as the importance of genomics tools for pigeonpea traits’ improvement. Additionally, crop wild relatives (CWRs) are among the principal genetic resource materials for breeding programs to enhance and dissect beneficial traits of pigeonpea. Moreover, the incorporation of multi-omics studies contributes to a comprehensive understanding of molecular mechanisms and gene networks that underpin trait expression. Very generalized and commonly used genomics technologies like genome-wide association study (GWAS), quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, and genomic selection (GS) are used to search for genes and potential biomarkers that can be used for breeding purposes, also with the aid of newly evolved biotechnological tools and integrative platforms. In an era of climate change and increasing global food demands, this chapter discusses omics-assisted breeding strategies in conjunction with state-of-the-art computational approaches that can play a significant role in fast-tracking genetic gains in pigeonpea, and contribute to enhanced pigeonpea production and cultivational sustainability.

Item Type: Book Section
Divisions: Center of Excellence in Genomics and Systems Biology
Global Research Program - Accelerated Crop Improvement
CRP: UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: crop improvement, quantitative trait loci (QTL), genome-wide association study (GWAS), genomic selection (GS),genetic gains, pigeonpea
Subjects: Others > Crop Improvement
Mandate crops > Pigeonpea
Others > Genetics and Genomics
Depositing User: Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited: 16 Mar 2026 04:20
Last Modified: 16 Mar 2026 04:20
URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/13541
Acknowledgement: UNSPECIFIED
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