Field evaluation of pigeonpea, blackgram and greengram for tolerance to temperature and drought stresses

IIPR, Kanpur conducted field studies on pigeonpea, blackgram and greengram germplasm for tolerance to high temperature and drought at different locations, Ludhiana, Kanpur, Khargaone, Badnapur and Gulbarga. Screening of germplasm was also carried out for frost and water-logging tolerance in pigeonpea.

Field phenotyping of pigeonpea:

Fifty pigeonpea genotypes (drought tolerant and susceptible checks) were selected from a set of early, medium and long duration genotypes including mini-core collection from ICRISAT and evaluated at PAU,Ludhiana, IIPR, Kanpur, RARS, Khargone, ARS, Badnapur and ARS, Gulbarga. Ten morpho-phenological traits viz. days to flower initiation, days to 50% flowering, plant height, physiological maturity, pod bearing length, number of pods per plant, pod length, number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight and seed yield per plant were used for evaluation. The lines, namely BDN 2008-1, Bennur Local, ICP1156, BDN-2008-12, TJT501, GRG2009, ICP995, ICP4575 and ICP14832 appeared to be superior at pod filling stage at Gulbarga under rainfed condition likewise, ICP1126, JKM7, JKM189 and ICP4575 appeared better in rainfed situation at Badnapur.

Screening for frost tolerance in pigeonpea:

IPAC76, IPAC77, IPAC78, IPAC80, IPAC85, IPAC114, IPAC127, IPAC245 CP246, Amar IPA16F showed less flower and pod drop in peak winter as compared to other long duration pigeonpea. Five germplasm lines exhibited relatively lower damage to frost in low-lying areas. The wilting, dehydration of leaves and defoliation are the characteristics symptoms of frost injury with severe on upper part. In many entries the terminal foliage became dead. ICPL7035 was most severely affected and exhibited least survival rate. The recovery from frost damage will be based upon number of pods per plant, pod length, number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight and seed yield per plant as compared to normal grown plants Visual observations on flowering and pod development indicated that IPAC234 and IPAC114 have better recovery.

Water-logging tolerance in pigeonpea:

Five pigeonpea lines, namely NA1, IPAC 79, IPAC 42, IPAC 76, LRG30 showed relative tolerance against water-logging in the initial growth stage as compared to sensitive genotype ICPL7035 based on observations, viz. days to flower initiation, days to 50% flowering, plant height, physiological maturity,

number of pods per plant, pod length, number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight and seed yield per plant, chlorophyll content, dissolved oxygen and root capacitance. Highest mortality was observed in ICPL7035, whereas IPAC79 survived the most. Plant height was also reduced. Visual observations on flowering, plant height and pod development indicated that IPAC79 has better recovery than other genotypes.

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