Persuasive solutions to bring back hybrid pigeonpea breeding programmes on the rails

Pigeonpea is the only pulse crop where considerable natural cross-pollination occurs. To make use of this natural phenomenon, crop breeders first bred a cytoplasmic nuclear male sterility (CMS) system and then researched to develop a suitable hybrid breeding technology. This included the development of high-yielding single cross hybrids and their large-scale seed production system. These endeavors resulted in release of three pigeonpea hybrids that recorded 30–50% on-farm yield gains over the inbred controls. These hybrids, however, failed to reach farmers due to a single factor i.e. inability of seed producers to maintain high seed standards. In general, the hybrid seed quality in field crops is determined by applying the standard “Grow-out tests” (GoT). Unfortunately, in the three released hybrids, this approach could not be used due to their photo-period sensitivity and long generation turnover time. The advances in pigeonpea breeding and genomics research, however, have provided a couple of user-friendly solutions to overcome the limitations of seed quality maintenance. The authors conclude that investments in breeding of early maturing hybrids where GoT can be applied with ease and the use of genomics-based seed quality testing can bring the pigeonpea hybrid programs back on rails.