Protogyny is an attractive option over emasculation for interbreeding in pigeonpea

Abstract

Hybridization is the initial step for creating genetic variability in conventional breeding programmes. Pigeonpea is one of the crops in which some genetic mechanisms including protogyny tends to promote natural outcrossing. Considering these facts in view, an investigation was performed to assess the feasibility of crossing without emasculation. Sixteen crosses were made with and without emasculation during the year 2006-2007 and 2007-2008. The number of crossed pods was significantly greater under crossing without emasculation than with emasculation. “Selfs” were observed in both the schemes, which could be ascribed to chance events and could further be brought down to zero per cent by selecting appropriate buds depending on environmental conditions. The results showed that protogyny-mediated hybridization is an alternative method to crossing involving emasculation in pigeonpea.