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

interpreted with caution. Differential host responses to the disease have been demonstrated in previous studies in
ESA. Nevertheless, sources of resistance to the disease in locally adapted material will be useful in pigeonpea
breeding programs in the region.
SN Silim and E Gwata
Milestone A8.2.2: Pigeonpea breeding populations derived from resistant x adapted germplasm developed by 2009
Crosses between the resistant germplasm (originating from both Mozambique and Tanzania) and adapted cultivars
in both medium- and long-duration pigeonpea types (and their reciprocals) were initiated at both Kiboko and Kampi
ya Mawe. The major target is to introgress the resistance to wilt particularly in the early medium-duration types
developed for areas away from the equator. Likely, some of the germplasm lacks adequate levels of resistance to the
disease since photoperiod insensitivity was the main focus of the initial improvement effort. F 2 populations derived
from a landrace (popular in Malawi, Mutawajuni) x resistant cultivars (ICEAP 00040 and ICEAP 0576-1) were
raised in the field at Kabete, Kenya. The segregating populations will be shared with the prospective national
programs to facilitate selection in target production areas. The selection criteria from this batch of crosses will
include resistance to the wilt and insect pests as well as white (cream) seed coat desirable in the market.
SN Silim and E Gwata
Milestone A8.2.3: Selection and evaluation of resistant pigeonpea germplasm initiated by 2011
Medium- and long-duration pigeonpea cultivars require more than three months to mature in ESA. This makes these
types prone to the wilt disease. All newly developed germplasm in both maturity groups needs to be evaluated in
high-disease pressure conditions such as provided by wilt-sick plots at Kiboko (Kenya) and Ilonga (Tanzania). The
selection process was initiated at Kiboko where the improved resistant long-duration cultivars (ICEAP 00040,
ICEAP 00020, ICEAP 0576-1 and ICEAP 00933) were identified originally. Moderate levels of wilt resistance were
observed for the medium-duration cultivars ICEAP 00554 and ICEAP 00557. It is desirable to establish similar
testing facilities in the other countries such as Mozambique where the disease is prevalent. In addition, research
effort directed toward identification of pathogenic races of the wilt disease across the region would be merited.
SN Silim and E Gwata
Milestone A8.2.4: Report/article on performance of resistant pigeonpea germplasm in ESA published by 2011
A multi-location evaluation of elite pigeon pea cultivars previously identified as resistant to fusarium wilt was
conducted in three countries (Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania). The agronomic performance of the germplasm was
communicated (Journal of Plant Pathology 154: 62-64) in 2006. The long-duration cultivar ICEAP 00040 showed
stable resistance across the region. It was released for commercial production in both Malawi and Tanzania.
SN Silim and E Gwata
Activity A8.3: Test and select improved pigeonpea varieties for provision to NARS and further dissemination
Milestone A8.3.1: Evaluate, promote and disseminate through participatory/ on-farm methods, at least 6 newly
improved pigeonpea cultivars for production in ESA by 2009
Seed of elite pigeonpea cultivars was disseminated to partners in southern Africa for the 2006/07 cropping season.
In Malawi, where the crop is grown mainly in the southern region, on-farm evaluation in both the central and
northern regions was initiated for the 2006/07 cropping season. In Tanzania, seed was disseminated to new
pigeonpea areas (Karatu and Mbulu districts). Our partners (Diocese of Mbulu-CRS and the Selian Agricultural
Research Institute) facilitated the expansion of the area under pigeonpea in Tanzania. In addition, a group of 16
media practitioners representing various international agencies (such as BBC East Africa, Kenya TV Network,
Tanzania Newspapers) participated in a three-day field visit to Babati, Karatu and Mbulu (Tanzania) aimed at highlighting
the impact of pigeon pea in ESA as well as the critical role of ICRISAT in farmer-driven research. The wilt
resistant cultivars (particularly ICEAP 00040 and ICEAP 00053) developed by ICRISAT were adopted widely in
the area. In Kenya, pigeonpea was promoted through field days held in Makueni district.
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