Introgression of productivity enhancing traits, resistance to pod borer and Phytopthora stem blight from Cajanus scarabaeoides to cultivated pigeonpea.

The study aimed at introgression of productivity enhancing traits and resistance to pod borer and Phytophthora stem blight from wild to cultivated pigeonpea through an inter-specific cross between Cajanus scarabaeoides (ICP 15683) and C. cajan (ICPL 20329). Progenies derived from the direct segregating (without backcross) population and backcross population were evaluated for yield and yield contributing traits namely fruiting branches and pods plant-1 and 100-seed weight. Introgressed progenies having higher fruiting branches, pods and yield plant-1 compared to the cultivated parent were identified in both populations. A few progenies with significantly shorter plant height, early flowering and early maturity as compared to both cultivated and wild parents were also recovered in both populations. Progenies from both the populations were identified with higher resistance to pod borer and Phytophthora stem blight. However, some introgressed progenies having lower seed weight and seeds per pod were also recovered. The promising progenies are currently being used in the breeding programme to develop cultivars with improved productivity and resistance to pod borer and Phytophthora stem blight. © Prof. H.S. Srivastava Foundation for Science and Society 2020.