Pigeonpea improvement: An amalgam of breeding and genomic research

Abstract

In the past five decades, constant research has been directed towards yield improvement in pigeonpea resulting in the deployment of several commercially acceptable cultivars in India. Though, the genesis of hybrid technology, the biggest breakthrough, enigma of stagnant productivity still remains unsolved. To sort this productivity disparity, genomic research along with conventional breeding was successfully initiated at ICRISAT. It endowed ample genomic resource providing insight in the pigeonpea genome combating production constraints in a precise and speedy manner. The availability of the draft genome sequence with a large-scale marker resource, oriented the research towards trait mapping for flowering time, determinacy, fertility restoration, yield attributing traits and photo-insensitivity. Defined core and mini-core collection, still eased the pigeonpea breeding being accessible for existing genetic diversity and developing stress resistance. Modern genomic tools like next-generation sequencing, genome-wide selection helping in the appraisal of selection efficiency is leading towards next-generation breeding, an awaited milestone in pigeonpea genetic enhancement. This paper emphasizes the ongoing genetic improvement in pigeonpea with an amalgam of conventional breeding as well as genomic research. K E Y W O R D Sdeterminacy, genome sequence, hybrid technology, mini-core collection, photo-insensitivity,

Evaluation and Identification of Promising Introgression Lines Derived From Wild Cajanus Species for Broadening the Genetic Base of Cultivated Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]

“…In pigeonpea, T-1 and T-90 were the most frequently used germplasm as parents in breeding programs in India (Kumar et al, 2004). The polymorphic survey of a set of Cajanus accessions has also indicated the lack of genetic diversity within the cultivated gene pool (Kumar et al, 2018). Furthermore, the natural defense mechanism in improved cultivars has been lost during intense selection for high yield, which may result in the genetic vulnerability of crop cultivars to a number of biotic and abiotic stresses (Tanksley and McCouch, 1997).…”

A decade of Tropical Legumes projects: Development and adoption of improved varieties, creation of market‐demand to benefit smallholder farmers and empowerment of national programmes in sub‐Saharan Africa and South Asia

“…With partial support from this project and others, significant advances were made in genomics research. Availability of the draft genome sequence (Varshney et al, ) with large‐scale marker resources (Chanda Venkata et al, ) oriented research towards trait mapping for flowering time, determinacy, fertility restoration, yield attributing traits and photo insensitivity. Molecular markers have been developed for assessing the purity of hybrids (Bohra et al, ; Saxena, Saxena, & Varshney, ).…”

“…Modern genomic tools such as next‐generation sequencing and genome‐wide selection are leading towards next generation breeding and enhancing selection efficiency. The paper by Chanda Venkata et al () emphasizes the ongoing genetic improvement in pigeonpea that integrates conventional breeding with genomic research.…”

Growth, nodulation, production, and physiology of leguminous plants in integrated production systems

“…Abebe (2022) highlighted the potential use of guandu bean for human and animal food due to its high protein content and low production cost. In general, the protein content in guandu bean grains is 20%–22% (Venkata et al., 2019) and 23%–33% in dry matter (leaves and tender portions of stems) (Neres et al., 2012). The process of biological nitrogen fixation resulting from the symbiosis between guandu bean and rhizobia and the production of litter by the crop increases soil fertility (Varshney et al., 2010).…”