ICRISAT Develops World's First Extreme Heat-Tolerant Pigeonpea via Speed Breeding

In a significant breakthrough, scientists at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) have developed ICPV 25444, a first-of-its-kind pigeonpea cultivar that can withstand high summer temperatures and mature in just 125 days. ICPV 25444, developed through speed breeding, tolerates temperatures of 45°C during summer growth.

The heat-tolerant, photo- and thermo-insensitive ICPV 25444 has been successfully tested in Karnataka, Odisha, and Telangana states, demonstrating yields of 2 tons per hectare. It represents a breakthrough in pigeonpea cultivation, enabling the crop to be grown not only during the traditional rainy (kharif) season but also during summer, where extreme temperatures in India reach up to 45°C.

“This breakthrough in developing a summer-adapted pigeonpea cultivar is a shining example of what science can achieve when driven by urgency and purpose. By transforming pigeonpea into an all-season crop, our scientists have delivered a timely solution with the potential to address pulse shortages and climate challenges facing farmers across India,” said Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General, ICRISAT.

For more details, read the article in the ICRISAT Newsroom.