Hybrid ICPH 2740 assures quantum jump in pigeonpea productivity in peninsular India

Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] is an important pulse crop of peninsular India and of the 4 m ha grown, this region contributes >70% both in area and production. The productivity of pigeonpea in this region is at around 650 kg/ha, and to smash this low yield plateau, a hybrid technology, based on cytoplasmic nuclear male-sterility (CMS) and natural cross-pollination was evolved at ICRISAT. Among several location-specific hybrids were bred, ICPH 2740 gave out-standing performance in farmers’ fields and later released in Telangana for cultivation in 2015 as “Mannem Konda Kandi”. This wilt and sterility mosaic resistant hybrid was tested in 31 locations over five years exhibited 40.7% superiority over the ruling variety “Asha”. In the on-farm trials also, this hybrid recorded yield advantage of 36.2% in four provinces. This paper discusses salient features, performance, and seed technology of the hybrid ICPH 2740.