Tolerance to reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) race A in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) genotypes

The reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) is an important pathogen of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan). Forty‐six medium maturity (mature in 151–200 days at Patancheru, India) pigeonpea genotypes were evaluated for resistance and tolerance to the reniform nematode in greenhouse and field tests, over the period 1990–97. Each genotype was screened for number of nematode egg masses on a 1 (no egg mass = highly resistant) to 9 (> 50 egg masses = highly susceptible) scale. Plant biomass production in carbofurantreated plots was compared with that in non‐treated plots in a field naturally infested with R. reniformis. Pigeonpea genotypes C 11, ICPL 87119 and ICPL 270 were used as nematode susceptible checks. Genotypes with good plant growth, both in nematode‐free and nematode‐infested plots, were identified as tolerant and evaluated for plant growth and yield for at least three years. All the tested genotypes were susceptible (7 and 9 egg mass score). Single‐plant‐selections, based on plant vigour and yield, were made from genotypes showing tolerance to nematode infection. The level of tolerance was enhanced by plant‐to‐progeny row selection for plant vigour and seed yield in a nematode‐sick field for at least three years. The most promising nematode tolerant genotypes produced significantly greater yield and biomass than the locally grown pigeonpea cultivars in fields naturally infested with R. reniformis at two locations. Pigeonpea landraces are considered to be the most likely sources of tolerance to the nematode. These reniform nematode tolerant lines represent new germplasm and they are available in the genebank of pigeonpea at ICRISAT bearing accession numbers ICP 16329, ICP 16330, ICP 16331, ICP 16332, and ICP 16333.