Development of a cytoplasmic nuclear male-sterility system in pigeonpea using C. scarabaeoides (L.) Thouars.

The phenomenon of heterosis has been successfully exploited for the genetic enhancement of yield in a number of cereal and horticultural crops. In pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) also, significant yield gains have been demonstrated through genetic male-sterility based hybrid technology. These hybrids, however, could not create the expected impact due to difficulties encountered in their large-scale seed production. To overcome this bottleneck, a cytoplasmic-nuclear male-sterility system was developed from a cross between Cajanus scarabaeoides (L.) Thouars, a wild relative of pigeonpea, and a short-duration pigeonpea cultivar. This paper besides summarizing the results of F₁ and backcross generations, reports the maintenance and fertility restoration systems of this newly developed cytoplasmic nuclear male-sterility source. The development of this technology is expected to help the seed industry in large-scale seed production of pigeonpea hybrids and their parents.