Molecular Characterization of Vegetable-Type Pigeonpea Genotypes Using SCoT Markers

Legumes are of prime importance in human diet and animal feed contributing the major source of vegetable protein. They are an economic source of not only protein but of carbohydrate, minerals and B-complex vitamins particularly in a vegetarian diet (Salunkhe et al., 1985) and hence correctly called as poor man’s meat (Heiser 1990). Besides being a source of protein, pulses are also important for sustainable agriculture as they improve Physical, Chemical, and Biological properties of the soil and function as mininitrogen factories. Pulses also have an inherent quality to trap moisture from the lower strata of the soil, therefore, they are considerably known to be drought tolerant and fit well in a rainfed environment. Pigeonpea is one of the major pulse crops of dry land agriculture because of its deep tap root system and inherent drought resistance. Its ability to produce a high amount of biomass per unit area makes it useful as fodder and for thatching for the rural masses. Large quantities of foliage drop add International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Special Issue-6 pp. 1471-1477 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com