Studies On Natural Cross-Pollination In Pigeonpeas (Cajanus cajan)

Abstract

Results obtained in a study of natural crossing among strains of pigeonpea grown in adjacent rows show that cross-pollination ranges from 5.47 to 6.33 with an average of 5.80 percent in a population of 5,328 plants. Progenies from plants artificially selfed with nylon bags produced no natural hybrids. The results obtained in this study indicate that, for the maintenance of pure varieties or stocks, and the seed production of new varieties, they should be grown under isolation, or with the flowerbuds covered with finely woven nylon bags, in order to prevent contamination.