Yield Attributes and Biochemical Compositions of Elites and Landraces of Pigeon Pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp]

Abstract

Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp (Pigeon pea) is an important leguminous crop grown mostly in the tropical regions of the world, Nigeria inclusive. The crop is still underutilised in Nigeria; the potentials of the crop in terms of yield traits and biochemical compositions, with ability of enhancing food security and preventing over-dependent on very expensive animal protein, is yet to be fully exploited. It was based on this premise that this study was designed. Twenty-five (25) accessions were obtained from International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, lbadan; National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Ibadan and Local farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. The accessions were sown in the experimental farm in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Standard procedures were followed for determination of yield parameters as well as biochemical compositions. It showed that NG/SA/11/08/108 produced the highest number of pods per plot (437.00) and the highest grain yield (2.6t/ha). Similarly, TCC-8126 produced the highest crude protein (22.53 %) while PG/OY/18/002 had the highest carbohydrate contents (52.22 %). TCC-8126 was the best elite genotype in terms of amino acid profile, containing glutamic acid (18.10 %), aspartic acid (11.4 %); arginine (7.41 %), alanine (5.90 %). The values produced for both nutritional compositions and amino acid profiles were within the recommended standard limits set by Food and Agriculture Organisation and United States Department of Agriculture. NG/SA/11/08/108, NG/AO/MAY/09/021/02, TCC-151, TCC-8126, TT-8129 and TCC-2 have been selected as promising genotypes that could serve as breeding lines for future breeding programme of Cajanus cajan in Nigeria.