Genetic enhancement of pigeonpea for high latitude areas in southern Africa

Gwata, E T and Siambi, M (2009) Genetic enhancement of pigeonpea for high latitude areas in southern Africa. African Journal of Biotechnology, 8 (18). pp. 4413-4457. ISSN 1684-5315

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Abstract

Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] is becoming increasingly important in small-holder farming systems in southern Africa. Abiotic factors such as sensitivity to photoperiod and terminal drought frequently reduce yields in the region. Sensitivity to photoperiod results in delayed flowering and maturity which in turn leads to increased susceptibility to terminal drought stress, low winter temperatures, frost as well as interference from free-ranging domestic livestock. The objective of this study was to develop enhanced early maturing pigeonpea types that are suitable for production in the cropping systems prevalent in southern Africa. Segregating populations (through F9) were developed from crossing combinations between five parental genotypes possessing marked differences in the genetic control of period to flowering and maturity as well as good agronomic and end-use characters.Using morphological markers and agronomic performance indicators, six elite cultivars with enhanced duration to flowering (97 d), maturity (161 d) and high yield potential (3.0 t/ha) were identified following field evaluation for two consecutive seasons at a representative testing location in the prospective production region. The seed of this elite germplasm was disseminated to growers in order to facilitate adoption and to increase the flexibility of pigeonpea production in the region.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Elite germplasm, genetic enhancement, high latitude, pigeonpea.
Subjects:	Mandate crops > Pigeonpea
Depositing User:	Mr Sanat Kumar Behera
Date Deposited:	07 Oct 2011 05:48
Last Modified:	07 Feb 2014 05:19
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/1984
Official URL:
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	Rockefeller Foundation
Acknowledgement:	We wish to express our profound gratitude to all the organizations that provided financial support at various stages of the pigeonpea development program since its inception in the early 1990’s at ICRISAT-Nairobi. In particular, we thank the Rockefeller Foundation for thefinancial support which enabled us to conclude the latterstages of the project. We also sincerely acknowledge the contributions made by several national programs in the Eastern and southern Africa region and fellow scie ntists.
Links:	Author

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