Yes, breeders can smash the low yield plateau in pigeonpea!

Abstract

A graduate from G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pant Nagar, Dr Saxena completed his doctorate in Plant Breeding and Genetics in 1974. He then joined ICRISAT as a pigeonpea breeder and was responsible for breeding both dal and vegetable type pigeonpea cultivars with wide adaptation and several varieties were bred and released with his collaboration and ICAR. During 1980-82, he was deputed to serve as a Visiting Scientist at the University of Queensland, Australia to introduce pigeonpea in drylands of the province. On return, he led the hybrid breeding project and his team succeeded in developing the world’s first pigeonpea hybrid ICPH 8; and later, three more hybrids were also released. Dr Saxena also worked as Project Scientist for five years to promote pigeonpea in the dry lands of Sri Lanka. During his assignment in China, he helped local scientists in promoting pigeonpea in hilly areas of southern provinces for soil conservation and fodder purposes. Dr Saxena was also recognized with China’s highest civilian honor “Friendship Award”. During his long research career, extending over four decades, he has published more than 350 research papers.