Potential and acceptability of short duration pigeonpea genotypes in Tanzania
Mligo, J.K.|Myaka, F.A. / 2002

Experiments were conducted both on-station and on-farm to evaluate the newly introduced short duration pigeonpea genotypes for adaptation and grain yield in different agro-ecological zones and to evaluate the performance of promising ones in farmers fields. Also the experiment aimed at eliciting farmers' perceptions about the short duration genotypes. In on-station experiments conducted at eight locations in eastern, southern highlands, western, southern and central zones, yield levels of up to 3.3 (ha were recorded while maturity from 95 to 149 days after planting. Plant height at maturity ranged from 61 to 111 cm. After several seasons of these on-station multi-locations testing, two genotypes ICPL 87091 and ICPL 86005 were identified as promising. The two genotypes were advanced for testing on-farm. In the on-farm experiments, grain yield of up to 2.6 t ha of ICPL 87091 and up to 2.5 t ha of ICPL 86005 were realised by some farmers. Farmers preferred ICPL 87091. Some of the selection criteria for short duration pigeonpea that were mentioned by farmers included; high yielding, white seed; short cooking time, palatability and thick broth. Other criteria include early maturity, insect pest tolerance, synchronous maturity, marketability, large seeds and drought tolerance. Basing on the results from on-station and on-farm experiments, a white seeded pigeonpea genotype ICPL 87091 was recommended for release to farmers for wider dissemination by the name of "Komboa". It is the first pigeonpea variety to be released in Tanzania. In this paper we discuss the results and their implications to future breeding programmes in pigeonpea.