![]() ![]() ![]() Therefore, the broad objective of the study reported in this Chapter was to evaluate improved pigeonpea germplasm for agronomic performance across the region under rain-fed field conditions. In addition, typical smallholder farmers are subsistent. 1) partly because of the pressure of limited land for cultivating crops as well as the need to minimize the risk of crop failure. This is partly because some of the smallholder pigeonpea growers cultivate largely unimproved landraces in mixed cropping systems ( Fig. In Tanzania, growers obtained 0.4 t/ha ( Mligo and Myaka, 1994). However, the average grain yield obtained by farmers in the region is generally low. The crop is also relatively tolerant to drought ( Kumar et al., 2011) thus making it suitable for cultivation in the semi-arid agro-ecological conditions prevalent in the region. Pigeonpea is also useful for controlling soil erosion in those areas prone to floods. In addition, the stover is used for fuelwood and building material in some of the rural communities in the region ( Silim et al., 2005). Considerable quantities of the grain are traded within the region and in international markets particularly in the Indian sub-continent thus generating income for farmers. The crop provides highly nutritious food for human consumption ( Amarteifio et al., 2002) and fixes considerable amounts of atmospheric nitrogen ( Mapfumo et al., 1999), thus improving soil fertility. The crop is grown for its multiple benefits mainly by smallholder growers and is useful in providing household food security in the region. The diversity associated with the pigeonpea germplasm from the region was documented widely ( Songok et al., 2010 Mligo and Craufurd 2005 Silim et al., 2005). This region is considered as a secondary centre of diversity for pigeonpea. It is now grown in many parts of the world including southern Africa particularly the region encompassing Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi and southern Tanzania ( Høgh-Jensen et al., 2007). Pigeonpea is an important grain legume that originated in the Indian sub-continent. ![]()
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