ICRISAT develops world's first CMS-based hybrid pigeonpea

Hyderabad, July 16 (UNI) International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Director General William Dar has commercially launched the world's first Cytoplasmic Male Sterility (CMS)-based pigeonpea hybrid 'Pushkal'.

At the launch function here last night, he said the hybrid pigeonpea was developed after 25 years of intensive research. Over the past 50 years, pigeonpea productivity had not increased inspite of several new varieties being released. To acheive a breakthrough in the yield, ICRISAT developed an innovative breeding technology to develop commercial hybrids in this crop, he added.

Dr Dar said the drought-tolerant seed would give 30 to 70 per cent additional yield and is suitable for cultivation in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. It would trigger a pulses revolution in the country as higher yields meant higher income.

He said ICRISAT was working with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, State agricultural universities, seeds corporations and private seed companies in this effort.

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