ABSTRACT
Developing improved varieties of pigeonpea K. B. Saxena, United Arab Emirates; Y. S. Chauhan, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Australia; C. V. S. Kumar, A. J. Hingane, R. V. Kumar, R. K. Saxena and G. V. R. Rao, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), India
1 Introduction
2 Pigeonpea for nutritional security
3 Factors affecting stability of pigeonpea production
4 Genetic factors influencing sustainability of pigeonpea production
5 Enhancing pigeonpea sustainability through crop modelling
6 Enhancing sustainability through an efficient seed system
7 Enhancing sustainability through plant breeding
8 Pigeonpea hybrids for greater productivity and sustainability
9 Future trends and conclusion
10 Where to look for further information
11 References
By 2050 the world population is likely to reach nine billion, with most of the increase in the semi-arid tropics where many of the world’s poor reside. It has been estimated that this will require a 70% increase in food production (Alexandratos and Bruinsma, 2012). Increasing food production to this extent in the face of looming climate changes, decreasing water resources, escalating production cost and limitation of arable land will be a Herculean task. In this context, a food legume, popularly called as pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.), red gram (tuar) or yellow lentil, could play a significant role in providing food and nutritional security. This is possible because this crop has potential to grow well in warmer conditions with limited water and inputs.
