Genetic and improvement of Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L. Milisp)

Abstract

The pigeon pea is a leguminous plant grown in tropical and subtropical regions. In Brazil it is found in almost all the country. It is the fifth leguminous most cultivated in the world, mainly in India with the greatest area. The plant is a great promisse as human food source, it has a high proteic content. It is also useful as animal food or green manuring. In this review work it can be enumerated the following characteristics which show the potential of pigeon pea as an alternative for agriculture exploration in Brazil, a) vigorous root system, wich confers high drough resistente; b) High genetic variability, which is a promising factor for improvement; c) presence of dwart types ideal for mechanical harvest; d) high protein content in the seeds.