Pigeonpea, a new grain legume for production in Georgia and the Southeast.

Summary

New pigeon pea cultivars suitable for the production in Georgia and southeastern United States ahve been developed. Application for release of GA-1 and GA-2 cultivars have been made. Seed of these two pigeon pea cultivars will be available for production in 2007 growing season.

Situation

Pigeonpea is an important grain legume grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. It ranks fifth in production when compared with other grains such as soybeans, peas, chickpeas and peanuts. Traditional varieties from Puerto Rico and India take 175 to 280 days and thus, failed to produce pods before frost in November December in Tifton

Response

In the eighties, early and medium maturing varieties were developed at the International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). These new lines are less sensitive to photoperiod with a quantitative response to short days. Short days accelerated flowering and long days delayed flowering in these varieties. Thus, during 1988 to 1992 sixty early and medium maturing pigeonpea breeding lines from ICRISAT were evaluated in Tifton with an objective to find suitable lines for Georgia and the Southeast. Selections were made in 1990-92.

Impact

Six breeding lines, which produced over 3500 lb/A in once over harvest before frost, were selected for further evaluations. Height and plant growth habits of these lines were suitable for machine harvest. All other lines were discarded for various reasons including lack of concentrated pod-set, plant height, insect damage, seed size, yield etc. Finally, only two lines (GA-1 and GA-2) had all the qualities needed to successfully produce a crop in Georgia.. During 1993 through 2004 GA-1 and GA-2 pigeonpeas were produced in Georgia. Crop is suitable for production even on marginal lands. Yields ranged from 1500 lb/A on marginal land to 4500 lb/A on productive land. These two cultivars are highly tolerant to drought, and thus, irrigation is not essential to produce pigeonpeas. These cultivars are adapted to the local strain of rhizobium and thus, inoculation is not required to produce a crop. They respond to phosphorus applications in low phosphorus soils only. Most Georgia soils are high in phosphorus.These two cultivars are tolerant to all foliage insect pests including fall armyworm. Velvetbean caterpillar feeds on flower buds only and not on foliage. Only two insecticide applications are needed to control velvetbean caterpillar. Of these two pigeonpeas only GA-2 will produce grain in Oklahoma. Grain is suitable for human and animal consumption. Animal feeding studies have been conducted in Oklahoma and Georgia. Low production costs and high quality grain make pigeonpeas a potential new crop for Georgia farmers. Application for release of GA-1 and GA-2 pigeon pea cultivars have been made and seed of these will be available for production in 2007 growing season.

State Issue

Agribusiness Development/Value Added

Details

• Year: 2006
• Geographic Scope: Multi-State/Regional
• County: Tift
• Program Areas:
  • Agriculture & Natural Resources