Summary
Two population improvement methods, namely Stratified Mass Selection (SMS) and Mass Selection with Progeny Testing (MSPT) were used for improvement of yield of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp.) composite populations in marginal rainfall areas of Kenya. Selection pressures of 10% and 5% were used in SMS and MSPT respectively. There was no response to selection when the improved populations were tested in a wet season. However, when measured in a drier season, the progress per cycle of selection was 6.7% and 6.0% for SMS and MSPT respectively. Possible uses of these results on the future improvement of this crop are discussed.
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References
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This work was financially supported by IDRC.
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Onim, J.F.M. Effects of two population improvement methods on grain yield of pigeon pea composite populations in Kenya. Euphytica 30, 271–275 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00033987
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00033987