International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
Abstract
ICP 7035 is a medium duration, non-determinate pigeonpea landrace collected in 1973 from Bedaghat (near Jabalpur), Madhya Pradesh, India. Plants mature in 170-200 days (in south-central regions of India) and, at this stage, reach an average height of 120-140 cm. Each plant produced around 100 pods and each pod contained 5 seeds, which are nutritionally rich and contain high percentages of digestible carbohydrates, vitamins and micronutrients. The large seeds (9-11 mm diameter) had purple seed coats and green cotyledons, and are suitable for consumption as vegetable. The fresh seed contains 8.6% protein, 12% fibre, and 45.7% carbohydrate and starch. The pinkish-purple colour of the pod and seed coat is due to high anthocyanin contents. While the normal sugar level in most pigeon pea cultivars is approximately 5%, the sugar content in ICP 7035 seeds is 8.8%. Decorticated dried split seeds measure 5-6 mm in diameter and 100 dried seeds weigh 19.2 g. The seed contains 19.6% protein, 27.4% dietary fibre, 33% starch and 67% carbohydrate, and has high amounts of copper, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous. Resistance to Pigeonpea sterility mosaic virus in ICP 7035 has a positive impact on yield as a result of negligible crop loss in endemic areas. In the absence of the disease, the yield of ICP 7035 is on a par with the yields of local cultivars. Recently, provisional approval was given for the release of this cultivar in SMD endemic areas of southern Karnataka