Identification of sources of resistance to Fusarium wilt and sterility mosaic diseases in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]

The experiment was conducted to screen a set of 100 genotypes of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) for resistance to Fusarium wilt and sterility mosaic disease during 2021-2022 using root dip technique and the leaf stapling method, respectively. Based on percent disease incidence of Fusarium, seven genotypes were classified as resistant. Seventeen genotypes showed resistant reaction against sterility mosaic disease. Combined resistance for both diseases was recorded in six genotypes namely, ICPL 15023, ICPL 15063, ICPL 19467, ICPL 19482, ICPL 19489, and ICPL 19499. These resistant lines can be utilized directly as useful donor source in pigeonpea hybridization programs to improve resistance

Expression of a synthetic cry1AcF gene in transgenic Pigeon pea confers resistance to Helicoverpa armigera

Pigeon pea is an important legume. Yield losses due to insect pests are enormous in the cultivation of this crop. Expression of cry proteins has led to increased resistance to pests in several crops. We report in this paper, expression of a chimeric cry1AcF (encoding cry1Ac and cry1F domains) gene in transgenic pigeon pea and its resistance towards Helicoverpa armigera. PCR, Southern hybridization, RT-PCR and Western analysis confirmed stable integration and expression of the cry1AcF gene in pigeon pea transgenics. When screened for efficacy of the transformants for resistance against H. armigera, the transgenics showed not only high mortality of the larva but could also resist the damage caused by the larvae. Analysis for the stable integration, expression and efficacy of the transgenics resulted in the identification of four T3 plants arising from two T1 backgrounds as highly promising. The results demonstrate potentiality of the chimeric cry1AcF gene in developing H. armigera-resistant pigeon pea. © 2011 Blackwell Verlag, GmbH