Role of partial cleistogamy in maintaining genetic purity of pigeonpea

Summary Natural out-crossing in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) leads to genetic deterioration and in certain environments the out-crossing may be as high as 70%. Studies with partially cleistogamous lines derived from an inter-generic cross indicated that average natural out-crossing in these lines was much lower (2.5%) than that reported earlier for pigeonpea (36.5%) at ICRISAT Center. Based on seed yield and disease resistance, potential parents such as ICPL 87154 in short-duration determinate, ICPL 87018 in short-duration indeterminate, and ICPL 87159 in medium-duration indeterminate groups have been identified for introgression of the partially cleistogamous trait into pigeonpea.