Challenges and opportunities of breeding early maturing pigeonpea hybrids

Recently, a hybrid breeding technology has been successfully developed in pigeonpea and three high yielding hybrids were released. This technology is based on cytoplasmic -nuclear male-sterility (CMS) and insect-aided natural out – crossing systems. These hybrids produced 25–40% more yield over the local cultivars in farmers'fields. The seed production technology of hybrids and their male and female parents has also now been perfected. These hybrids mature in 6–7 months hence have limited adaptation; to register greater impact of this technology early maturing (4–5 months) group hybrid breeding programme was initiated. This paper, besides reviewing the performance of some early maturing hybrids, discusses their prospects in enhancing productivity in the existing and new potential niches.