Wide hybridization and its genetic and cytogenetic consequences in pigeonpea – A review

Genetic wealth of wild species of cajanus group and their transfer in improvement of pigeonpea has been reviewed in the present study. Meiotic behaviour of chromosomes in hybrids, fertility level and phylogenetic implications have been discussed among hybrids made using Cajimus sericeus, Cajanus platycarpus, Cajanus cajanifollus, Cajanus scarabaeoids, Cajanus volubilis, Cajanus trinervius, Cajanus pluriflora, Cajanus lineatus, Cajanus albicans and Cajanus acutifolius wild species. Cajanus cajanifolius appeared phylogenetically very close to Cajanus cajan, Cajanus cajan and Cajanus scarabaeoides were most widely distributed species showing close relationship. A collective evaluation of cytogenetical data suggested that Cajanus Cajanifolius is the closest wild relative followed by scarabaeoides, albicans, trinervius etc.