Development of new cytoplasmic-genetic male-sterile lines in pigeonpea from crosses between Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.and C. scarabaeoides (L.) Thouars.
Exploitation of hybrid vigour is quite possible in cross-pollinated crops. However, pigeonpea is a grain legume crop with a moderate level of cross-pollination (20-70%), which is mainly aided by insect pollinators. As a first step, hybrids based on genetic male sterility (GMS) were developed in pigeonpea, but the hybrid seed production technique is not farmer-friendly, because in the hybrid seed production plot 50% of the population, which are male-fertile in the female rows, have to be eliminated in time before contamination. This requires skilled labour and is a time-consuming process, which increases the cost of hybrid seed production. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop cytoplasmic-genetic male-sterile (CGMS) lines in pigeonpea through wide hybridization, which would be very suitable for hybrid seed production. Two CGMS lines, viz. CORG 990052 A and CORG 990047, were developed by interspecific hybridization of Cajanus cajan and C. scarabaeoides. Restorers were identified and three CGMS-based pigeonpea hybrids were developed. The hybrid COPH 3 is found to be promising in Tamil Nadu State, India.
Kalaimagal
Thiyagarajan
T
Plant Breeding and Genetics, Department of Pulses, Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore- 641003, India. kalai_thiyagu@yahoo.co.in
Muthaiah
Arunachalam
A
Rajarathinam
Sankaran
S
Malini
Subramaniam
S
Nadarajan
Nagasamy
N
Pechiammal
Indra
I
D036561:Cajanus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D006823:Hybrid Vigor; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D007194:India; D007246:Infertility / Q000235:genetics*; D012639:Seeds / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development