Agronomic evaluation of 15 pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] genotypes in Isabela and Lajas, Puerto Rico

Abstract

Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Mills.] is an important source of protein in the human diet. In Puerto Rico, genotypes with determinate growth habit and photoperiod insensitivity have been developed; however, their yield potential needs to be assessed. The objective of this research was to evaluate the agronomic performance of 15 pigeonpea genotypes in Isabela and Lajas during 2017 and 2018. Quantitative (e.g., days to flowering and harvesting, seed-yield t/ha, among others) and qualitative (e.g., photoperiod sensitivity; stem, flower, pod, and seed colors) traits were evaluated for each genotype. There were significant differences in the trials conducted in November 2017 and April 2018. ‘Cortada’, ‘Guerrero’, ‘ICP 13207’, ‘ICP 7035’, ICP 7193, ‘Pinto Berrocales’, ‘Pinto original’ and ‘Super pinto’ were sensitive to the photoperiod. ʻ ICPL 86012ʼ and ICP 98030 were early maturing with 118 to 125 days from the November 2017 planting, and 112 to 145 days from the April 2018 planting in both locations. At Isabela, ‘Lázaro’ had the best seedyield (0.70 t/ha) in the 2017 trial and ICP 7193 (0.59 t/ha) in the 2018 trial. By contrast, at Lajas, ‘Guerrero’ and ICP 7193 had the highest yields (1.89 and 1.81 t/ha, respectively) in 2017; while ICP 7193 and ICP 98030 with 0.97 and 0.84 t/ha, respectively, had the highest yields in 2018. Thus, these genotypes may be used to develop pigeonpea germplasm insensitive to photoperiod, early maturing and with high yield potential.