An ICRISAT Success Story: The World’s First Pigeonpea Hybrid

The problemPigeonpea is cultivated throughout the semi-arid tropics of South Asia and East Africa.But increases in the total cultivated area over the past 10 years have not kept pace with demand. Getting startedDramatic yield enhancement was necessary.So ICRISAT scientists and partners initiated research on a new technology -hybrid breeding.This was a Herculean task because pigeonpea is a self-pollinating crop, with only 20-25% cross-pollination.No hybrid pigeonpea had ever been developed.But ICRISAT scientists rolled up their sleeves and got busy.They identified genetic male-sterility that would enable making hybrids easier, compared to hand pollination.