ICRISAT Archival Report 2006 - The seedlings of success in the ...

to such farmers from research, and that this leads to increased productivity and improved quality on the part of
buyers.
RB Jones
Output target A8: Adapted germplasm of pigeon pea with enhanced productivity and desirable traits [2010]
Activity A8.1: Develop genetically enhanced and regionally adapted pigeon pea germplasm
Milestone A8.1.1: At least 3 high-yielding medium-duration pigeonpea cultivars adapted to the ecological and
cropping systems in southern Africa developed by 2009
Photoperiod sensitivity in both medium- and long-duration pigeonpea was one of the limitations for increasing
productivity of pigeonpea particularly around equator (10 o to 20 o north and south) areas in ESA. In such areas,
flowering and maturity are delayed thus rendering the crop prone to terminal drought stress and winter frost. Newly
developed early to medium-duration (photoperiod-insensitive) cultivars developed for southern Africa were
evaluated at Chitedze Research Station (13 o 59' S and 33 o 44' E), Malawi during the 2005/06 cropping season. Several
traits including the number of days to 50% flowering (50%DF), number of days to 75% maturity (75%DM), grain
size (100-GW) and yield were measured. There was variability in 50%DF among the cultivars ranging from 83 d
(ICEAP 01514/15) to 112 d (ICEAP 01160/15). In comparison, the preferred and popular local check variety
(Mutawajuni) and commercial cultivar (Royes) required 83 d and 119 d respectively to attain 50%DF. Cultivar
ICEAP 01514/15 matured significantly (P1.0 t/ha compared with 0.5 t/ha obtained for the
check cultivar ICPL 87091. On average, the cultivars required 87 d to achieve 50% flowering. ICEAP 01134
developed the largest grains (100-grain weight = 14.1 g) compared with the small (100-grain weight = 12.3 g)
observed for the check cultivar. In the advanced variety trial, 14 experimental lines averaged 1.6 t/ha. The genotype
ICEAP 01275 obtained the highest grain yield (1.97 t/ha) which was 25% more that the yield observed for the check
cultivar ICPL 90050. In another field trial conducted at Ilonga (Tanzania), ICEAP 00624 attained the highest (1.24
t/ha) and required 57 d to achieve 50% flowering.
One of the major drawbacks in our short-duration germplasm is its susceptibility to insect pests particularly pod
borers and pod suckers. Currently, pesticides are necessary in the management of short-duration cultivars in ESA.
SN Silim and E Gwata
Activity A8.2: Widen genetic base of pigeon pea with enhanced resistance to fusarium wilt
Milestone A8.2.1: Collection of pigeon pea from Tanzania and Mozambique screened for resistance to fusarium wilt
by 2008
Preliminary evaluation of germplasm (previously collected from Tanzania and Mozambique) for resistance to
Fusarium wilt was conducted in a wilt-sick plot at Kiboko (Kenya).There were 12 (one from Mozambique and 11
from Tanzania) accessions with medium to high resistance levels. Further evaluation of these accessions is in
progress. Similarly, the elite medium duration cultivars developed for areas away from the equator were also
included in the wilt-sick plot for the 2006/07 season. Although genetic material showing resistance in this wilt-sick
plot at Kiboko is expected to show wide amplitude resistance elsewhere in ESA, these preliminary results should be
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