Identification of Fertility Restorers for A 2 Cytoplasm-Based CGMS Lines and Development of Short Duration Hybrids in Pigeonpea ( Cajanus Cajan (L.) Millsp.)

Pigeonpea is the second most important legume crop grown in India after chickpea. India is the largest producer of pigeonpea in the world. However, the productivity of pigeonpea in India remains stagnant over the years. The productivity of pigeonpea can be improved through exploitation of heterosis. The cytoplasmic genetic male sterility is the predominant method employed in hybrid development in pigeonpea during the recent days owing to the advantages involved. The present study involved the identification of fertility restorers for three Cajanus scarabaeoides (A2) based short duration (120–130 days) male sterile lines, namely CORG 990047A, CORG 990052A and CORG 7A. A total of 77 inbreds were involved in the hybridization programme. The pollen fertility of the 186 hybrids ranged from 0.00 to 94.89