Honey bee mediated (Apis mellifera L.) hybrid pigeonpea seed production under net house condition

The development of cytoplasmic nuclear male sterility (CMS) hybrid technology in pigeonpea was a significant breakthrough. Hybrids produced yield 25% superior than standard varieties on farmers’ field. However, the expansion and acceptance of the CMS technology depends predominantly on the efficiency of hybrid seed production. Hybrid seed is typically generated in isolated fields from other pigeonpea production areas. Finding suitable isolated fields is often difficult. Therefore, obtaining cross-pollinated seed under enclosed conditions could be a logical alternative. This was tested by using male sterile (A) and maintainer (B) lines in a 3: 1 ratio under captivity (net houses) containing honeybees hives. The yield of the A line, obtained in net houses containing honeybees, was significantly lower than in open fields with natural pollinators. Intercropping pigeonpea with sunflower or spraying a sugar solution did not contribute to increase the yield of A line in the net houses. Sequential planting (weekly intervals) of A: B lines in open natural field condition was beneficial to increase the production of the A line (1078.3 kg/ha) making yields equivalent to the B line (1047.2 kg/ha). Thus, natural field isolated plots combined with sequential planting of blocks of males and females is recommended for hybrid pigeonpea seed production.