{{Short description|Species of perennial legume}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Speciesbox | name = Pigeon pea | image = Cajanus cajan Blanco1.167-cropped.jpg | image_upright = 0.7 | image_caption = Botanical illustration of the morphological details of a ''C.{{nbsp}}cajan'' specimen | image2 = Cajanus cajan Leaf, flowers and fruits.png | image2_caption = Botanical image depicting the foliage characteristics and differing pod and flower phenotypes | genus = Cajanus | species = cajan | authority = (L.) Huth }} The '''pigeon pea'''<ref name=GRIN>{{GRIN | access-date = 19 May 2019 }}</ref> (''Cajanus cajan'') is a perennial legume from the family Fabaceae native to the Eastern Hemisphere.<ref>{{cite book |doi=10.1016/B978-0-12-397935-3.00008-6 |chapter=Pigeonpea |title=Genetic and Genomic Resources of Grain Legume Improvement |date=2013 |last1=Upadhyaya |first1=Hari D. |last2=Sharma |first2=Shivali |last3=Reddy |first3=K.N. |last4=Saxena |first4=Rachit |last5=Varshney |first5=Rajeev K. |last6=Gowda |first6=C.L. Laxmipathi |pages=181–202 |isbn=978-0-12-397935-3 |chapter-url=http://oar.icrisat.org/7096/1/BC_Pigeonpea_183-202_2013.pdf }}</ref> The pigeon pea is widely cultivated in tropical and semitropical regions around the world, being commonly consumed in the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.<ref>{{cite book |doi=10.1007/978-1-4419-0465-2_2320 |chapter=Pigeon Pea: Origins and Development |title=Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology |date=2014 |last1=Kingwell-Banham |first1=Eleanor |last2=Fuller |first2=Dorian Q. |pages=5941–5944 |isbn=978-1-4419-0426-3 }}</ref>{{rp|page=5941}}

==Etymology and other names== [[File:Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth); branch with flowers an Wellcome V0042649.jpg|thumb|Botanical inscription of ''C.&nbsp;cajan'' from Hendrik van Rheede transcribed in Devanagari, Malayalam, Arabic and the Latin alphabet from "Hortus Malabaricus" (1686)<ref>{{cite web |title=Pigeon pea (''Cajanus cajan'' (L.) Huth): branch with flowers and pods, separate flower, sectioned flower and seed. Coloured line engraving. |url=https://wellcomecollection.org/works/hueafe7v |access-date=12 May 2022 |website=Wellcome Collection |language=en }}</ref>]]

===Scientific epithet=== The scientific name for the genus ''Cajanus'' and the species ''cajan'' derive from the Malay word {{Lang|ms|katjang}} (modern spelling: {{Lang|ms|kacang}}) meaning legume in reference to the bean of the plant.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 January 2018 |title=''Cajanus cajan'' etymology |url=https://antropocene.it/es/2018/01/14/cajanus-cajan/ |access-date=12 August 2021 |website=Un Mondo Ecosostenibile |language=en-US }}</ref>

===Common English names=== In English they are commonly referred to as '''pigeon pea''' which originates from the historical utilization of the pulse as pigeon fodder in Barbados.<ref>{{cite web |title=How the Pigeon Pea Became Such a Kitchen Staple Around the World |url=https://matadornetwork.com/read/pigeon-pea-became-kitchen-staple-around-world/ |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=Matador Network |language=en-US }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=20 August 2013 |title=Pigeon peas: A sweet summer addition to the edible garden |url=https://www.latimes.com/home/la-lh-pigeon-peas-20130820-story.html |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US }}</ref> The term '''Congo pea''' and '''Angola pea''' developed due to the presence of its cultivation in Africa and the association of its utilization with those of African descent.<ref>{{cite web |title=Angola pea etymology |url=https://www.wordnik.com/words/angola%20pea }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Congo pea |url=https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Congo+pea |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=TheFreeDictionary.com }}</ref> The names '''no-eye pea''' and '''red gram''' both refer to the characteristics of the seed, with '''no-eye pea''' in reference to the lack of a hilum blotch on most varieties, unlike the black-eyed pea, and '''red gram''' in reference to the red color of most Indian varieties and gram simply referring to the plant being a legume.<ref>{{cite web |title=gram in Hindi - gram meaning in Hindi |url=https://www.hindlish.com/gram/gram-meaning-in-hindi-english |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=www.hindlish.com }}</ref>

===Internationally=== ====Africa====

In Benin the pigeon pea is locally known as {{lang|fon|klouékoun}} in Fon, {{lang|ife|otinin}} in Ede and {{lang|ajg|eklui}} in Adja.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kinhoégbè |first1=Géofroy |last2=Djèdatin |first2=Gustave |last3=Loko |first3=Laura Estelle Yêyinou |last4=Favi |first4=Abraham Gnimansou |last5=Adomou |first5=Aristide |last6=Agbangla |first6=Clément |last7=Dansi |first7=Alexandre |title=On-farm management and participatory evaluation of pigeonpea (''Cajanus cajan'' [L.] Millspaugh) diversity across the agro-ecological zones of the Republic of Benin |journal=Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine |date=December 2020 |volume=16 |issue=1 |page=24 |doi=10.1186/s13002-020-00378-0 |doi-access=free |pmid=32404139 |pmc=7218501 }}</ref> In Cape Verde they are called {{lang|kea|Fixon Kongu}} in Cape Verdean creole.<ref>{{cite web |title=Congo bean - Arca del Gusto |url=https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/congo-bean/ |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=Slow Food Foundation |language=en-US }}</ref> In Comoros and Mauritius they are known as {{lang|swb-Latn|ambrebdade}} in Comorian<ref>{{cite web |title=Food and drink in Comoros |url=https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/africa/comoros/ |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=World Travel Guide |language=en-US }}</ref> and as {{lang|zdj-Latn|embrevade}} or {{lang|zdj-Latn|bravate}} in Morisyen, in return originating from the Malagasy term for the plant {{lang|mg|amberivatry}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Malagasy Dictionary and Madagascar Encyclopedia: amberivatry |url=https://en.mondemalgache.org/bins/teny2/amberivatry |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=en.mondemalgache.org |archive-date=1 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101233127/https://en.mondemalgache.org/bins/teny2/amberivatry }}</ref> In Ghana they are known as {{lang|dag|aduwa}} or {{lang|dag|adowa}} in Dagbani.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dagbani » Download |url=https://www.webonary.org/dagbani/download/ |access-date=13 May 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=7 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007011509/https://www.webonary.org/dagbani/download/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=3 December 2021 |title=Adowa Beans |url=https://techrisemedia.com/adowa-beans-african-street-food-tour-discovered-beans-food-business-ideas-in-africa-ghana/ |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=techrisemedia |language=en-US }}</ref> In Kenya and Tanzania they are known as {{lang|sw|mbaazi}} in Swahili.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Iwu |first=Maurice M. |url=https://www.routledgehandbooks.com/doi/10.1201/b16292-4#sec3_36 |title=Pharmacognostical Profile of Selected Medicinal Plants |date=4 February 2014 |publisher=Routledge Handbooks Online |isbn=978-1-4665-7197-6 |language=en |doi=10.1201/b16292-4 }}</ref> In Malawi they are called {{lang|ny|nandolo}} in Chichewa.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nandolo in English. Nandolo Meaning and Chichewa to English Translation |url=https://www.indifferentlanguages.com/translate/chichewa-english/nandolo |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=www.indifferentlanguages.com }}</ref> In Nigeria pigeon peas are called {{lang|ig|fiofio}} or {{lang|ig|mgbụmgbụ}} in Igbo,<ref>{{cite web |last=Obidike |first=Jennifer |date=1 August 2020 |title=Pigeon peas (fio-fio): 6 Proven Health Benefits and Nutrition |url=https://www.healthfulwonders.com/pigeon-peas-fio-fio-6-proven-health-benefits-and-nutrition-healthful-wonders/ |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=Healthful Wonders |language=en-US |archive-date=26 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526140907/https://www.healthfulwonders.com/pigeon-peas-fio-fio-6-proven-health-benefits-and-nutrition-healthful-wonders/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Lois |date=10 February 2014 |title=The many names of the pigeon pea… |url=https://loiselsden.com/2014/02/10/12962/ |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=Lois Elsden |language=en }}</ref> {{langx|ha|waken-masar|lit=Egyptian bean|label=none}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Hausa Names for Plants and Trees |url=https://www.yumpu.com/it/document/read/24396103/hausa-names-for-plants-and-trees-roger-blench |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=yumpu.com |language=it }}</ref> or {{langx|ha|waken-turawa|lit=foreigner bean|label=none}}<ref>{{cite web |title=waken-turawa |url=https://www.englishraven.com/What-Is-Fio-Fio-Called-In-English/#3 |access-date=13 May 2022}}{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> in Hausa,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Pigeon pea Archives |url=https://t.guardian.ng/tag/pigeon-pea/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria |access-date=13 May 2022 |newspaper=The Guardian |language=en-US}}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> and {{lang|yo|òtílí}} in Yoruba.<ref>{{cite news |date=8 July 2020 |title=Pigeon peas and Nutrition - Tasty 9ja - Benefits of Fiofio |url=https://tastynigerianrecipes.com/pigeon-peas/ |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=Tasty Nigerian Recipes |language=en-US }}</ref> In Sudan they are known as {{transliteration|ar|adaseya}}, {{transliteration|ar|adasy}} or {{transliteration|ar|adasia}} ({{langx|ar|عدسيه}}).<ref>{{cite web |title=Agricultural plant names in Sudan |url=https://aplusasud.com/agriculturalcommodities/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pigeon pea in Sudan |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201806040584.html }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=العدسية - Sudanese Pigeon Peas |url=https://samasimgroup.com/ar/product/sudanese-pigeon-peas/ |language=ar |website=Smasim Investment |access-date=7 August 2025 }}</ref>

====Asia==== [[File:Pigeon peas dried with ruler.jpg|thumb|Pigeon peas displayed next to a ruler from the Ereke market in Buton Island, Indonesia]]

In India the plant is known by names such as:<ref>{{cite web |title=Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change |url=https://biosafety.icar.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/biology_of_cajanus_cajan_pigeon_pea_REVISED-1.pdf |access-date=21 June 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806095012/https://biosafety.icar.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/biology_of_cajanus_cajan_pigeon_pea_REVISED-1.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Cajanus cajan |url=https://www.tropicalforages.info/text/entities_app/cajanus_cajan.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210075111/https://www.tropicalforages.info/text/entities_app/cajanus_cajan.htm |archive-date=10 December 2022 |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=www.tropicalforages.info }}</ref> * {{transliteration|hi|arhar}} * {{transliteration|mr|tur}} * {{transliteration|te|kandi}} * {{transliteration|ur|arhar}} * {{transliteration|sa|tuvarika}}, {{transliteration|sa|adhaki}}

In Persian, it is known as {{transliteration|fa|shakhul}} and is popular in dishes. In the Philippines they are known as {{lang|fil|Kadios}} in Filipino and {{lang|tl|Kadyos}} in Tagalog.<ref>{{cite web |date=8 May 2021 |title=Kadyos (Kadios): Tagalog-English Dictionary Online |url=https://www.tagaloglang.com/kadyos/ |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=TAGALOG LANG |language=en-US }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kadios or pigeon pea in Filipino |date=27 July 2010 |url=https://www.pinoy-entrepreneur.com/2010/07/27/pigeon-pea-or-kadios-production/ }}</ref>

====The Americas==== In Latin America,<ref>{{cite web |date=12 January 2015 |title=What Are Gandules? |url=https://culinarylore.com/specialty-foods:what-are-gandules/ |access-date=12 August 2021 |website=CulinaryLore |language=en-US }}</ref> they are known as {{lang|es|guandul}} or {{lang|es|gandul}} in Spanish, and {{lang|pt-BR|feijão andu}} or {{lang|pt-BR|gandu}} in Portuguese all of which derive from Kikongo {{lang|kg|wandu}} or from Kimbundu {{lang|kmb|oanda}}; both names referring to the same plant.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 August 2011 |title=Gracias a las manos africanas |url=https://listindiario.com/ventana/2011/08/27/201259/gracias-a-las-manos-africanas |access-date=12 August 2021 |website=listindiario.com |language=ES }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=15 August 2016 |title=Culture: How the African Diaspora Left It's Mark on the DR |url=http://www.unavainabienspanish.com/african-diaspora-dominican-republic/ |access-date=12 August 2021 |website=Una Vaina Bien Spanish |language=en-US |archive-date=3 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803170905/http://www.unavainabienspanish.com/african-diaspora-dominican-republic/ |url-status=usurped }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=21 October 2020 |title=Cocina Dominicana – Anexo 2 |url=https://mipais.jmarcano.com/socio-cultural/artes/cocina/cocina-deive/ |access-date=12 August 2021 |website=mipais.jmarcano.com |language=en-US }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=African Origin of Papiamentu Plant names |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322696358 |access-date=12 August 2021 |website=ResearchGate |language=en }}</ref>

In the Anglophone regions of the Caribbean, like Jamaica,<ref>{{cite web |title=Jamaican Ingredient: Gungo Peas – Cook Like a Jamaican |url=https://cooklikeajamaican.com/amp/gungo-peas/ |access-date=12 August 2021 |website=cooklikeajamaican.com }}</ref> they are known as ''Gungo peas'', coming from the more archaic English name for the plant ''congo pea,'' given to the plant because of its popularity and relation to Sub-Saharan Africa.<ref>{{cite web |title=PlantFiles: ''Cajanus'' Species, Congo Pea, Gungo Pea, Pigeon Pea Bush, Red Gram |url=https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/116685/ |access-date=12 August 2021 |website=Dave's Garden |language=en }}</ref><ref name="Carney, J. A 2009">Carney, J. A. and Rosomoff, R. N. (2009) ''In the Shadow of Slavery. Africa's Botanical legacy in the Atlantic World''. Berkeley: University of California Press</ref>

In Francophone regions of the Caribbean they are known as {{lang|fr|pois d' angole}},<ref>{{cite web |title=Pigeon peas (Pois d'Angole) |url=https://azmartinique.com/en/all-to-know/fruits-vegetables/pigeon-peas-pois-d-angole |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=AZ Martinique |language=en }}</ref> {{lang|acf|pwa di bwa}} in Antillean creole<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FHy8PxhjodMC&dq=pwa+di+bwa&pg=PA334 |title=Dictionnaire pratique du créole de Guadeloupe. Suivi d'un Index français-créole |date=1 February 2009 |publisher=Karthala Editions |isbn=978-2-8111-3020-6 |language=fr }}</ref> and {{lang|ht|pwa kongo}} in Haitian creole.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Yurnet-Thomas |first=Mirta |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=giQaoQz8N0AC&dq=pwa+congo&pg=PA26 |title=A Taste of Haiti |date=2004 |publisher=Hippocrene Books |isbn=978-0-7818-0998-6 |language=en }}</ref>

In Suriname they are known as {{lang|nl|wandoe}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Wandoe |date=4 June 2022 |url=https://etymologiebank.nl/trefwoord/wandoe |author=Instituut voor de Nederlandse taal |website=etymologiebank.nl |publisher=Instituut voor de Nederlandse taal |language=nl }}</ref> or {{lang|nl|gele pesi}},<ref>{{cite web |url=https://etymologiebank.nl/trefwoord/pesi |title=Pesi |date=4 June 2022 |author=Instituut voor de Nederlandse taal |website=etymologiebank.nl |publisher=Instituut voor de Nederlandse taal |language=nl }}</ref> the former of which is derived from the same source as its Spanish and Portuguese counterparts, the latter of which literally translates to 'yellow pea' from Dutch and Sranan Tongo.

====Oceania==== In Hawaii they are known as {{langx|haw|pi pokoliko|lit=Puerto Rican pea|label=none}} or {{langx|haw|pi nunu|lit=pigeon pea|label=none}} in the Hawaiian language.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pigeon Peas |url=https://foodprint.org/real-food/pigeon-peas/ |access-date=5 May 2022 |website=FoodPrint |language=en-US }}</ref>

==History and origin == thumb|right|220px|Pigeon pea flowers [[File:Pollen grains of Pigeon pea.jpg|thumb|Pollen grains of pigeon pea]]

===Origin=== The closest relatives to the cultivated pigeon pea are ''Cajanus cajanifolia'', ''Cajanus scarabaeoides'', and ''Cajanus kerstingii'', native to India and the latter West Africa respectively.<ref>{{cite web |title=''Cajanus kerstingii'' (Flora of the WAP complex - legumes) · iNaturalist |url=https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/491035 |access-date=5 May 2022 |website=iNaturalist |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=''Cajanus scarabaeoides'' |url=http://oar.icrisat.org/344/1/ArthroPlantInter3_3_151-161_2009.pdf }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=''Cajanus cajanifolius'' (Haines) Maesen {{!}} Plants of the World Online {{!}} Kew Science |url=http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:942590-1 |access-date=5 May 2022 |website=Plants of the World Online |language=en }}</ref> Much debate exist over the geographical origin of the species, with some groups claiming origin from the Nile river and Western Africa, and the other Indian origin.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pigeon pea history and origin |url=https://www.ikisan.com/ka-redgram-History.html#:~:text=Its%20actual%20place%20of%20origin,the%20world%20and%20to%20India. |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=www.ikisan.com |archive-date=4 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204181120/https://www.ikisan.com/ka-redgram-History.html#:~:text=Its%20actual%20place%20of%20origin,the%20world%20and%20to%20India. }}</ref> The two centers of genetic diversity exist in both Africa and India, but India is considered to be its primary center of origin with West Africa being considered a second major center of origin.<ref>{{cite web |title=Winrock International - ''Cajanus cajan'': It's More than Just a Pulse Crop |url=https://winrock.org/factnet-a-lasting-impact/fact-sheets/cajanus-cajan-its-more-than-just-a-pulse-crop/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204173816/https://winrock.org/factnet-a-lasting-impact/fact-sheets/cajanus-cajan-its-more-than-just-a-pulse-crop/ |archive-date=4 December 2020 |access-date=5 May 2022 |website=winrock.org |language=en-US }}</ref>

===History=== By at least 2800''&nbsp;''BCE in peninsular India,<ref>{{cite web |title=History of the cultivation and domestication of ''Cajanus cajan'' (Pigeon pea) |url=https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/plsc451/files/Lecture%20Notes%202010/Veg%20Crops-Lesson%2021%20Pea,%20Bean.pdf |website=uidaho.edu }}</ref> where its presumptive closest wild relatives ''Cajanus cajanifolia'' occurs in tropical deciduous woodlands, its cultivation has been documented.<ref>Van der Maeson, L. J. G. (1995). "Pigeonpea ''Cajanus cajan''", pp. 251–5 in Smartt, J. and Simmonds, N. W. (eds.), ''Evolution of Crop Plants. Essex'': Longman.</ref> Archaeological finds of pigeon pea cultivation dating to about 14th century BCE have also been found at the Neolithic site of Sanganakallu in Bellary and its border area Tuljapur (where the cultivation of African domesticated plants like pearl millet, finger millet, and Lablab have also been uncovered),<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Fuller |first1=Dorian |last2=Korisettar |first2=Ravi |last3=Venkatasubbaiah |first3=P.C. |last4=Jones |first4=MartinK. |title=Early plant domestications in southern India: some preliminary archaeobotanical results |journal=Vegetation History and Archaeobotany |date=June 2004 |volume=13 |issue=2 |page=115 |doi=10.1007/s00334-004-0036-9 |bibcode=2004VegHA..13..115F |s2cid=8108444 }}</ref> as well as in Gopalpur and other South Indian states.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Fuller |first1=D. Q. |last2=Harvey |first2=E. L. |doi=10.1179/174963106x123232 |title=The archaeobotany of Indian pulses: Identification, processing and evidence for cultivation |journal=Environmental Archaeology |volume=11 |issue=2 |pages=219–246 |year=2006 |bibcode=2006EnvAr..11..219F |s2cid=59135495 }}</ref>

From India it may have made its way to North-East Africa via Trans-Oceanic Bronze Age trade that allowed cross-cultural exchange of resources and agricultural products.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fuller |first=Dorian |title=Across the Indian Ocean: the prehistoric movement of plants and animals |url=http://www.sealinksproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Fuller_et_al_2011_Antiquity.pdf }}</ref> The earliest evidence of pigeon peas in Africa was found in Ancient Egypt with the presence of seeds in Egyptian tombs dating back to around 2200''&nbsp;''BCE.<ref>{{cite web |title=USDA - National Agricultural Statistics Service - Puerto Rico - Ag History of Pigeon Peas |url=https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Puerto_Rico/Publications/Ag_History_of_Pigeon_Peas/index.php |access-date=5 May 2022 |website=www.nass.usda.gov }}</ref> From eastern Africa, cultivation spread further west and south through the continent, where by means of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, it reached the Americas around the 17th century.<ref name="Carney, J. A 2009"/>

Pigeon peas were introduced to Hawaii in 1824 by James Macrae with a few specimens becoming naturalized on the islands, but they wouldn't gain much popularity until later.<ref>{{cite web |title=''Cajanus cajan'' |url=https://plantpono.org/pono-plants/cajanus-cajan-pigeon-pea/ |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=Plant Pono |language=en-US }}</ref> By the early 20th century Filipinos and Puerto Ricans began to emigrate from the American Philippines and Puerto Rico to Hawaii to work in sugarcane plantations in 1906 and 1901, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |first=Diana |last=Duff |date=2 February 2020 |title=Plant of the Month: Pidgeon pea, a multipurpose tree for a small garden |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2020/02/02/features/plant-of-the-month-pidgeon-pea-amultipurpose-tree-for-a-small-garden/ |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=West Hawaii Today |language=en-US }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Filipinos in Hawaii, UHM Center for Philippine Studies |url=https://www.hawaii.edu/cps/hawaii-filipinos.html#:~:text=A%20Brief%20History%20of%20Filipinos%20in%20Hawaii&text=Today%27s%20Filipino%20community%20in%20Hawaii,then%20US%20Territory%20of%20Hawaii. |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=www.hawaii.edu }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=How The First Puerto Ricans Arrived On Hawaiʻi Island {{!}} Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños |url=https://centropr-archive.hunter.cuny.edu/centrovoices/chronicles/how-first-puerto-ricans-arrived-hawai%E2%80%99i-island#:~:text=They%20arrived%20on%20O%27ahu,plantations%20in%20the%20Kohala%20area.&text=While%20they%20had%20hoped%20to,was%20not%20pleasant%20or%20easy. |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=centropr-archive.hunter.cuny.edu |archive-date=3 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703144537/https://centropr-archive.hunter.cuny.edu/centrovoices/chronicles/how-first-puerto-ricans-arrived-hawai%E2%80%99i-island#:~:text=They%20arrived%20on%20O%27ahu,plantations%20in%20the%20Kohala%20area.&text=While%20they%20had%20hoped%20to,was%20not%20pleasant%20or%20easy. }}</ref> Pigeon peas are said to have been popularized on the island by the Puerto Rican community where by the First World War their cultivation began, to expand on the island where they are still cultivated and consumed by locals.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pigeon peas hawaii |url=https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/B-46.pdf }}</ref>

{{Infobox nutritional value | name=Pigeon peas, immature, raw | image=Pigeon peas.jpg | caption=Pigeon peas in Trinidad and Tobago | kJ=569 | protein=7.2 g | fat=1.64 g | carbs=23.88 g | fiber=5.1 g | sugars=3 g | calcium_mg=42 | iron_mg=1.6 | magnesium_mg=68 | phosphorus_mg=127 | potassium_mg=552 | sodium_mg=5 | zinc_mg=1.04 | manganese_mg=0.574 | vitC_mg=39 | thiamin_mg=0.4 | riboflavin_mg=0.17 | niacin_mg=2.2 | pantothenic_mg=0.68 | vitB6_mg=0.068 | folate_ug=173 | choline_mg=45.8 | vitE_mg=0.39 | vitK_ug=24 | source_usda = 1 | note=[https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/170025/nutrients Link to USDA Database entry]<br/>'''Values for Choline, Vit. E/K available''' }} {{Infobox nutritional value | name = Pigeon peas, mature, raw | image = Cajanus cajan Steve Hurst 1.jpg | caption = Seeds of the pigeon pea | kJ = 1435 | protein = 21.7 g <!-- amino acids -->| tryptophan = 212 mg | threonine = 767 mg | isoleucine = 785 mg | leucine = 1549 mg | lysine = 1521 mg | methionine = 243 mg | cystine = 250 mg | phenylalanine = 1858 mg | tyrosine = 538 mg | valine = 937 mg | arginine = 1299 mg | histidine = 774 mg | alanine = 972 mg | aspartic acid = 2146 mg | glutamic acid = 5031 mg | glycine = 802 mg | proline = 955 mg | serine = 1028 mg | hydroxyproline = 0 mg | fat = 1.49 g | carbs = 62.78 g | fiber = 15 g | sugars = n/a | calcium_mg = 130 | iron_mg = 5.23 | magnesium_mg = 183 | phosphorus_mg = 367 | potassium_mg = 1392 | sodium_mg = 17 | zinc_mg = 2.76 | manganese_mg = 1.791 | thiamin_mg = 0.643 | riboflavin_mg = 0.187 | niacin_mg = 2.965 | pantothenic_mg = 1.266 | vitB6_mg = 0.283 | folate_ug = 456 | source_usda = 1 | note = [https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/172436/nutrients Link to USDA Database entry]<br/>'''Values for Choline, Vit. E/K ''unavailable''''' }} ==Nutrition==

Pigeon peas contain high levels of protein and the important amino acids methionine, lysine, and tryptophan.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/legumes-and-legume-products/4369/2 |title="Nutrition Facts and Analysis for Pigeon peas (red gram), mature seeds, raw" |access-date=10 June 2008 |archive-date=7 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407220531/https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/legumes-and-legume-products/4369/2 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The following table indicates completeness of nutritional profile of various amino acids within mature seeds of pigeon pea.

{| class="wikitable" |- ! Essential Amino Acid !!Available mg/g of Protein !! Min. Required mg/g of Protein |-

| Tryptophan || 9.76 || 7 |- | Threonine || 32.34 || 27 |- | Isoleucine || 36.17 || 25 |- | Leucine || 71.3 || 55 |- | Lysine || 70.09 || 51 |- | Methionine+Cystine || 22.7 || 25 |- | Phenylalanine+Tyrosine || 110.4 || 47 |- | Valine || 43.1 || 32 |- | Histidine || 35.66 || 18 |}

Methionine + cystine combination is the only limiting amino acid combination in pigeon pea. In contrast to the mature seeds, the immature seeds are generally lower in all nutritional values, however they contain a significant amount of vitamin''&nbsp;''C (39&nbsp;mg per 100''&nbsp;''g serving) and have a slightly higher fat content. Research has shown that the protein content of the immature seeds is of a higher quality.<ref name="PMID 363219">{{cite journal |last1=Bressani |first1=Ricardo |last2=Gómez-Brenes |first2=Roberto A. |last3=Elías |first3=Luiz G. |title=Calidad nutricional de la proteína de gandul, tierno y maduro, y su valor suplementario a los cereales |trans-title=Nutritional quality of pigeon pea protein, immature and ripe, and its supplementary value for cereals |language=es |journal=Archivos Latinoamericanos de Nutrición |volume=36 |issue=1 |pages=108–116 |date=March 1986 |pmid=3632193 |oclc=69765297 }}</ref>

{{Nutrient contents of common foods}}

==Cultivation== thumb|Harvested pigeon peas from Cape Verde

Pigeon peas can be of a perennial variety, in which the crop can last three to five years (although the seed yield drops considerably after the first two years), or an annual variety more suitable for seed production.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bilello |first=Stanley |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yZc_DQAAQBAJ&dq=Pigeon+peas+can+be+of+a+perennial+variety,+in+which+the+crop+can+last+three+to+five+years+(although+the+seed+yield+drops+considerably+after+the+first+two+years),+or+an+annual+variety+more+suitable+for+seed+production.&pg=PA103 |title=21st Century Homestead: Nitrogen-Fixing Crops |date=10 October 2016 |publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=978-1-365-45290-1 |language=en }}</ref>

===Global production=== [[File:Chã das Caldeiras-Pois (1).JPG|thumb|Naturalized pigeon peas growing on Cha das Caldeiras on Fogo island in Cape Verde]]

World production of pigeon peas is estimated at 4.49&nbsp;million tons.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Fatokimi |first1=Esther Olawumi |last2=Tanimonure |first2=Victoria Adeyemi |date=2021 |title=Analysis of the current situation and future outlooks for pigeon pea (''Cajanus Cajan'') production in Oyo State, Nigeria: A Markov Chain model approach |journal=Journal of Agriculture and Food Research |volume=6 |article-number=100218 |doi=10.1016/j.jafr.2021.100218 |issn=2666-1543 |doi-access=free }}</ref> About 63% of this production comes from India.{{cn|date=December 2024}} The total number of hectares grown to pigeon pea is estimated at 5.4&nbsp;million.<ref name=":0" /> India accounts for 72% of the area grown to pigeon pea or 3.9&nbsp;million hectares. Africa is the secondary centre of diversity and at present it contributes about 21% of global production with 1.05&nbsp;million tons. Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique and Uganda are the major producers in Africa.<ref>{{cite web |title=Products (Pigeon peas) |url=http://amago-tanzania.com/pigeon-peas.html |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=amago-tanzania.com }}</ref> Malawi's Nandolo Farmers' Association is supported by international aid via the charity Christian Aid.<ref>Christian Aid (2023), [https://www.christianaid.ie/sites/default/files/2023-03/caw23-daily-devotional-roi.pdf Unwavering hope: A daily devotional], page 2, accessed on 8 October 2025</ref>

The pigeon pea is an important legume crop of rainfed agriculture in the semiarid tropics. The Indian subcontinent, Africa and Central America, in that order, are the world's three main pigeon pea-producing regions. Pigeon peas are cultivated in more than 25 tropical and subtropical countries, either as a sole crop or intermixed with cereals, such as sorghum (''Sorghum bicolor''), pearl millet (''Pennisetum glaucum''), or maize (''Zea mays''), or with other legumes, such as peanuts (''Arachis hypogea''). Being a legume capable of symbiosis with Rhizobia, the bacteria associated with the pigeon pea enrich soils through symbiotic nitrogen fixation.<ref>{{cite web |title=pigeon pea cultivation |url=http://asapglobe.com/Download_File.aspx?chap=Y2hhcHRlcjUucGRm&bisbn=OTc4OTM4NjI4MzUyOA== |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=asapglobe.com }}</ref>

The crop is cultivated on marginal land by resource-poor farmers, who commonly grow traditional medium- and long-duration (5–11 months) landraces. Short-duration pigeon peas (3–4 months) suitable for multiple cropping have recently been developed. Traditionally, the use of such input as fertilizers, weeding, irrigation, and pesticides is minimal, so present yield levels are low (average = {{cvt|700|kg/ha|lb/acre|disp=or}}). Greater attention is now being given to managing the crop because it is in high demand at remunerative prices.

Pigeon peas are very drought-resistant and can be grown in areas with less than 650&nbsp;mm annual rainfall. With the maize crop failing three out of five years in drought-prone areas of Kenya, a consortium led by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) aimed to promote the pigeon pea as a drought-resistant, nutritious alternative crop.<ref>{{cite web |title={{!}}{{!}} ICRISAT {{!}}{{!}} Impact |url=http://www.icrisat.org/impacts/impact-stories/Icrisat-impacts-55.htm |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=www.icrisat.org |archive-date=2 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102135856/http://www.icrisat.org/impacts/impact-stories/Icrisat-impacts-55.htm }}</ref>

=== Nitrogen fixation === Legumes, which provide highly nutritious products and contribute to soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation, are one of the most important crops in mixed crop-livestock systems.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ramya |first1=S. |last2=Pandove |first2=Gulab |date=24 May 2019 |title=Integrated nutrient management in cowpea with the application of microbial inoculants |url=http://arccjournals.com/journal/legume-research-an-international-journal/LR-4102 |journal=Legume Research |volume=44 |issue=3 |pages=243–251 |doi=10.18805/LR-4102 |issn=0976-0571 |url-access=subscription |doi-access=free }}</ref> ''Cajanus cajan'' is an important legume crop with a high N-fixation ability (79 % N derived from the atmosphere).<ref name=":0" /> Plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), together with strains of Rhizobium, can enhance growth and nitrogen fixation in pigeon pea by colonizing thenselves in the plant nodules.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Tilak |first1=K. V. B. R. |last2=Ranganayaki |first2=N. |last3=Manoharachari |first3=C. |date=February 2006 |title=Synergistic effects of plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria and Rhizobium on nodulation and nitrogen fixation by pigeonpea (''Cajanus cajan'') |url=https://bsssjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2389.2006.00771.x |journal=European Journal of Soil Science |language=en |volume=57 |issue=1 |pages=67–71 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2389.2006.00771.x |bibcode=2006EuJSS..57...67T |issn=1351-0754 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=4 December 2024 |access-date=4 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204023705/https://bsssjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2389.2006.00771.x |url-status=live }}</ref> These bioinoculants can be added as a single species but also as combined communities. Using a single bioinoculant shows benefits, but mixed communitites of different bioinoculants have a greater positive impact on nodulation, plant dry mass, as well as shoot and root length.<ref name=":0"/><ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=Gupta |first1=Rashi |last2=Bisaria |first2=Virendra S. |last3=Sharma |first3=Shilpi |date=1 July 2016 |title=Response of rhizospheric bacterial communities of ''Cajanus cajan'' to application of bioinoculants and chemical fertilizers: A comparative study |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1164556316300152 |journal=European Journal of Soil Biology |volume=75 |pages=107–114 |doi=10.1016/j.ejsobi.2016.02.008 |bibcode=2016EJSB...75..107G |issn=1164-5563 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> These different community species have different functions for the pigeon pea:

{| class="wikitable" |+ !Bioinoculant !Function |- |''Azotobacter chroococcum'' |promotes plant growth as a biofertilizer<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Sharma |first1=Richa |last2=Shrivas |first2=Vijay Laxmi |last3=Sharma |first3=Shilpi |date=1 March 2021 |title=Effect of substitution of chemical fertilizer by bioinoculants on plant performance and rhizospheric bacterial community: case study with ''Cajanus cajan'' |journal=Brazilian Journal of Microbiology |language=en |volume=52 |issue=1 |pages=373–386 |doi=10.1007/s42770-020-00418-7 |issn=1678-4405 |pmc=7966636 |pmid=33415718 }}</ref> |- |''Bacillus megaterium'' |produces nematode-targeting antibiotics and potentially influencing cytokinin signaling and supports the nitrogen yield of the plant especially during flowering and maturity stages <ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> |- |''Pseudomonas fluorescens'' |produces bioactive metabolites and siderophores that combat plant pathogens and supports the denitrification process <ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /> |- |''Trichoderma harzianum'' |promotes soil health by production of enzymes and secondary metabolites that enhibit harmful soilborne pathogens and nutrient cycling by promoting root development<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> |}

=== Pests and diseases === Pigeon pea is affected by a variety of pests and insects that can significantly impact crop yield and quality. They can infest the plant from seedling stage till harvest, therefore pests and diseases are the primary cause for low yields.<ref name=":02">{{Cite journal |last1=Pande |first1=Suresh |last2=Sharma |first2=Mamta |last3=Naga Mangla |first3=U. |last4=Ghosh |first4=Raju |last5=Sundaresan |first5=G. |date=1 August 2011 |title=Phytophthora blight of Pigeonpea [''Cajanus cajan'' (L.) Millsp.]: An updating review of biology, pathogenicity and disease management |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S026121941100130X |journal=Crop Protection |language=en |volume=30 |issue=8 |pages=951–957 |doi=10.1016/j.cropro.2011.03.031 |bibcode=2011CrPro..30..951P }}</ref> The major pests are moths include the gram pod borer (''Helicoverpa armigera''), which causes defoliation and pod damage; the blue butterfly (''Lampides boeticus''), which infests buds, flowers, and young pods; and the spotted pod borer (''Maruca vitrata''), known for webbing together infested pods and flowers.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Shanower |first1=T. G. |last2=Romeis |first2=J. |last3=Minja |first3=E. M. |date=1 January 1999 |title=Insect Pests of Pigeonpea and Their Management |url=https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev.ento.44.1.77 |journal=Annual Review of Entomology |language=en |volume=44 |issue= |pages=77–96 |doi=10.1146/annurev.ento.44.1.77 |pmid=15012370 |issn=0066-4170 |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Volp |first1=Trevor M |last2=Zalucki |first2=Myron P |last3=Furlong |first3=Michael J |date=2 April 2024 |title=Pigeon pea crop stage strongly influences plant susceptibility to ''Helicoverpa armigera'' (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) |url=https://academic.oup.com/jee/article/117/3/973/7639345 |journal=Journal of Economic Entomology |volume=117 |issue=3 |pages=973–981 |doi=10.1093/jee/toae050 |issn=0022-0493 |pmc=11163456 |pmid=38564410 }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last1=Jagadish |first1=K. S. |title=Screening Pigeon Pea, ''Cajanus cajan'' (L.) Millsp., Against Major Insect Pests |date=2019 |work=Experimental Techniques in Host-Plant Resistance |pages=97–105 |editor-last=Kumar Chakravarthy |editor-first=Akshay |url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-13-2652-3_12 |access-date=10 November 2024 |place=Singapore |publisher=Springer |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-981-13-2652-3_12 |isbn=978-981-13-2652-3 |last2=Singh |first2=Ranvir |last3=Ghosh |first3=Pritha |last4=Domkak |first4=Korrakot |editor2-last=Selvanarayanan |editor2-first=Venkatesan |url-access=subscription }}</ref> The tur pod bug (''Clavigralla gibbosa'') is another significant pest of pigeon pea, causing substantial damage to pods and seeds.{{cn|date=January 2025}} Current resistance efforts focus on breeding pigeon pea varieties with enhanced resistance to these pests. However, the presence of multiple pest species and the variability in pest pressure across regions pose challenges to achieving consistent resistance.<ref name=":12">{{Citation |last1=Keerthi |first1=M. C. |title=Development of Biotic-Stress Resistant Pigeonpea |date=2022 |work=Genomic Designing for Biotic Stress Resistant Pulse Crops |pages=309–351 |editor-last=Kole |editor-first=Chittaranjan |url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-91043-3_6 |access-date=1 December 2024 |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-91043-3_6 |isbn=978-3-030-91043-3 |last2=Manjunatha |first2=L. |last3=Bhargavi |first3=H. A. |last4=Mahesha |first4=H. S. |last5=Puyam |first5=Anita |last6=Dasgupta |first6=Debarshi |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Effective management techniques include integrated pest management (IPM) strategies such as crop rotation, intercropping with non-host plants, timely sowing, and the use of biological control agents like parasitoids and predators.<ref>{{Citation |last1=Raj |first1=S. K. |title=Diseases of Pigeon Pea |date=2020 |work=Handbook of Vegetable and Herb Diseases |pages=1–32 |editor-last=Elmer |editor-first=Wade H. |url=https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-030-35512-8_25-1 |access-date=1 December 2024 |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-35512-8_25-1 |isbn=978-3-030-35512-8 |last2=Singh |first2=Rachana |last3=Srivastava |first3=Ashish |last4=Srivastava |first4=Suchi |editor2-last=McGrath |editor2-first=Margaret |editor3-last=McGovern |editor3-first=Robert J. |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Chemical control measures, including the application of insecticides like neem-based products and synthetic pyrethroids, are also employed when necessary.<ref name=":12" />

Common diseases of pigeon pea:<ref name=":12" />

# Fusarium wilt (''Fusarium udum''){{cn|date=January 2025}} # Dry root rot (''Macrophomina phaseolina'')<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Basandrai |first1=Ashwani K. |last2=Pandey |first2=Abhay K. |last3=Somta |first3=Prakit |last4=Basandrai |first4=Daisy |date=1 August 2021 |title=Macrophomina phaseolina –host interface: Insights into an emerging dry root rot pathogen of mungbean and urdbean, and its mitigation strategies |url=https://bsppjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ppa.13378 |journal=Plant Pathology |language=en |volume=70 |issue=6 |pages=1263–1275 |doi=10.1111/ppa.13378 |bibcode=2021PPath..70.1263B |issn=0032-0862 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> # Phytophthora blight (''Phytophthora drechsleri'')<ref name=":02" /> # Alternaria leaf spot (''Alternaria alternata'')<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sharma |first1=M. |last2=Ghosh |first2=R. |last3=Mangla |first3=U. N. |last4=Saxena |first4=K. B. |last5=Pande |first5=S. |date=1 June 2012 |title=Alternaria tenuissima Causing Alternaria Blight on Pigeonpea in India |url=https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/10.1094/PDIS-01-12-0060-PDN |journal=Plant Disease |volume=96 |issue=6 |page=907 |doi=10.1094/PDIS-01-12-0060-PDN |pmid=30727370 |bibcode=2012PlDis..96..907S |issn=0191-2917 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> # Powdery mildew (''Leveillula taurica'')<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Fondevilla |first1=S. |last2=Rubiales |first2=D. |date=1 April 2012 |title=Powdery mildew control in pea. A review |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13593-011-0033-1 |journal=Agronomy for Sustainable Development |language=en |volume=32 |issue=2 |pages=401–409 |doi=10.1007/s13593-011-0033-1 |bibcode=2012AgSD...32..401F |issn=1773-0155 }}</ref> # Sterility mosaic disease (''Pigeon pea sterility mosaic virus'') <ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Manjunatha |first1=Lakshamaiah |last2=Ramappa |first2=Honnaghatta Krishnappa |last3=Puyam |first3=Anita |last4=Srinivasa |first4=Nagappa |date=1 December 2021 |title=Pigeonpea Sterility Mosaic Virus: a threatening virus of pigeonpea, current scenario and its control |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42360-021-00397-1 |journal=Indian Phytopathology |language=en |volume=74 |issue=4 |pages=885–891 |doi=10.1007/s42360-021-00397-1 |issn=2248-9800 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> # Yellow mosaic virus (''Mungbean yellow mosaic virus'')<ref name=":12" />

===Breeding===

Pigeonpea is unique among legumes in that its flowers support both cross-pollination and self-pollination. The bright, nectar-rich flowers attract pollinating insects, allowing natural outcrossing, which averages about 20% but varies with location due to pollinator populations. This level of outcrossing can lead to genetic contamination of parental lines and complicate the selection of lines by reducing the homozygosity of progeny. To mitigate these effects, breeders use techniques such as enclosing flowers in muslin bags or nets to prevent insect pollination. However, natural outcrossing also results in genetically diverse landraces and requires two to three generations of selfing before parental lines can be used in hybridisation programmes.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Saxena |first=K. B. |date=June 2008 |title=Genetic Improvement of Pigeon Pea — A Review |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s12042-008-9014-1 |journal=Tropical Plant Biology |language=en |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=159–178 |doi=10.1007/s12042-008-9014-1 |bibcode=2008TroPB...1..159S |issn=1935-9756 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Over 50 years of pigeonpea breeding has resulted in genetic improvements, disease-resistant varieties, a reduction in crop maturity from 300 to less than 90 days, and the introduction of the first legume hybrid technology, which has increased yields by 30–50%. Despite these advances, yield per unit area has remained stable, with improved stability and diversification for farmers.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Saxena |first1=Kulbhushan |last2=Bohra |first2=Abhishek |last3=Choudhary |first3=Arbind K. |last4=Sultana |first4=Rafat |last5=Sharma |first5=Mamta |last6=Pazhamala |first6=Lekha T. |last7=Saxena |first7=Rachit K. |date=February 2021 |editor-last=Xu |editor-first=Pei |title=The alternative breeding approaches for improving yield gains and stress response in pigeonpea (''Cajanus cajan'') |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pbr.12863 |journal=Plant Breeding |language=en |volume=140 |issue=1 |pages=74–86 |doi=10.1111/pbr.12863 |bibcode=2021PBree.140...74S |issn=0179-9541 }}</ref>

John Spence, a botanist and politician from Trinidad and Tobago, developed several varieties of dwarf pigeon peas which can be harvested by machine, instead of by hand.<ref name="niherst">{{cite news |url=http://www.niherst.gov.tt/icons/tt-icons-1/69-john-spence.htm |title=John Spence (1929) Plant Pathologist |work=National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology |access-date=24 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225055330/http://www.niherst.gov.tt/icons/tt-icons-1/69-john-spence.htm |archive-date=25 February 2015 }}</ref>

===Genome sequence=== The pigeon pea is the first seed legume plant to have its complete genome sequenced. The sequencing was first accomplished by a group of 31 Indian scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. It was then followed by a global research partnership, the International Initiative for Pigeon pea Genomics (IIPG), led by ICRISAT with partners such as BGI–Shenzhen (China), US research laboratories like University of Georgia, University of California-Davis, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and National Centre for Genome Resources, European research institutes like the National University of Ireland Galway. It also received support from the CGIAR Generation Challenge Program, US National Science Foundation and in-kind contribution from the collaborating research institutes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.icrisat.org/newsroom/latest-news/happenings/happenings1492.htm#1 |title=ICRISAT-led global team cracks pigeonpea genome |access-date=21 December 2014 |archive-date=7 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407211735/http://www.icrisat.org/newsroom/latest-news/happenings/happenings1492.htm#1 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Draft genome sequence of pigeonpea (''Cajanus cajan''), an orphan legume crop of resource-poor farmers |volume=30 |issue=1 |doi=10.1038/nbt.2022 |pmid=22057054 |date=January 2012 |journal=Nat. Biotechnol. |pages=83–9 |last1=Varshney |first1=RK |last2=Chen |first2=W |last3=Li |first3=Y |display-authors=etal |doi-access=free |hdl=10379/14277 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> It is the first time that a CGIAR-supported research center such as ICRISAT led the genome sequencing of a food crop. There was a controversy over this as CGIAR did not partner with a national team of scientists and broke away from the Indo American Knowledge Initiative to start their own sequencing in parallel.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The first draft of the pigeonpea genome sequence |doi=10.1007/s13562-011-0088-8 |pmid=24431589 |volume=21 |pmc=3886394 |year=2012 |journal=J. Plant Biochem. Biotechnol. |pages=98–112 |last1=Singh |first1=NK |last2=Gupta |first2=DK |last3=Jayaswal |first3=PK |last4=Mahato |first4=AK |last5=Dutta |first5=S |last6=Singh |first6=S |last7=Bhutani |first7=S |last8=Dogra |first8=V |last9=Singh |first9=BP | last10 = Kumawat | first10 = G |last11=Pal |first11=JK |last12=Pandit |first12=A |last13=Singh |first13=A |last14=Rawal |first14=H |last15=Kumar |first15=A |last16=Rama Prashat |first16=G |last17=Khare |first17=A |last18=Yadav |first18=R |last19=Raje |first19=RS | last20 = Singh | first20 = MN |last21=Datta |first21=S |last22=Fakrudin |first22=B |last23=Wanjari |first23=KB |last24=Kansal |first24=R |last25=Dash |first25=PK |last26=Jain |first26=PK |last27=Bhattacharya |first27=R |last28=Gaikwad |first28=K |last29=Mohapatra |first29=T | last30 = Srinivasan | first30 = R |last31=Sharma |first31=TR |issue=1 |bibcode=2012JPBB...21...98S }}</ref>

The 616 mature microRNAs and 3919 long non-codingRNAs sequences were identified in the genome of pigeon pea.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nithin |first1=Chandran |last2=Thomas |first2=Amal |last3=Basak |first3=Jolly |last4=Bahadur |first4=Ranjit Prasad |title=Genome-wide identification of miRNAs and lncRNAs in ''Cajanus cajan'' |journal=BMC Genomics |date=December 2017 |volume=18 |issue=1 |page=878 |doi=10.1186/s12864-017-4232-2 |pmid=29141604 |pmc=5688659 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

====Dehulling==== thumb|right|Kenyans shelling pigeon peas

There are various methods of removing the pulse from its shell. In earlier days hand pounding was common. Several traditional methods are used that can be broadly classified under two categories: the wet method and the dry method. The Wet method Involves water soaking, sun drying and dehulling. The Dry method Involves oil/water application, drying in the sun, and dehulling. Depending on the magnitude of operation, large-scale commercial dehulling of large quantities of pigeon pea into its deskinned, split version, known as toor dal in Hindi, is done in mechanically operated mills.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ikisan.com/tg-redgram-harvesting-storage.html |title=''Harvesting And Storage'' |access-date=24 November 2017 |archive-date=7 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407220514/http://www.ikisan.com/tg-redgram-harvesting-storage.html }}</ref><ref>[http://exploreit.icrisat.org/page/eastern_and_southern_africa/887/329 ''Pigeonpea in Eastern and Southern Africa''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718193632/http://exploreit.icrisat.org/page/eastern_and_southern_africa/887/329 |date=18 July 2014 }}, ICRISAT Posted 10 October 2012. Downloaded 26 January 2014.</ref>

==Uses== ===Culinary use=== Pigeon peas are both a food crop (dried peas, flour, or green vegetable peas) and a forage/cover crop. In combination with cereals, pigeon peas make a well-balanced meal and hence are favored by nutritionists as an essential ingredient for balanced diets. The dried peas may be sprouted briefly, then cooked, for a flavor different from the green or dried peas.

====Africa==== thumb|A bowl of Cape Verdean fixon Kongu

In Cape Verde they make a soup with the dried pigeon peas called feijão Congo, after its own name, made with dried pigeon peas in a similar manner to Brazilian feijoada.<ref>{{cite web |date=20 February 2021 |title=Feijão Congo: Cape Verdean Stewed Peas (ervilha seca) |url=https://www.crumbsnatched.com/feijao-congo-stewed-peas-cape-verde/ |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=Crumb-Snatched |language=en-US }}</ref>

In Kenya and throughout the Swahili-speaking region of East Africa, pigeon peas are utilized in dishes such as {{lang|sw|mbaazi na mahamri}}, that is usually served for breakfast.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jammy |date=5 March 2016 |title=Swahili Breakfast: Mbaazi and Mahamri |url=https://lifeinmombasa.com/swahili-breakfast-mbaazi-mahamri/ |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=Life in Mombasa |language=en-US |archive-date=20 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520141006/https://lifeinmombasa.com/swahili-breakfast-mbaazi-mahamri/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Nairobi - Make Your Own Swahili Breakfast - mbaazi na mahamri |url=https://www.heygo.com/tours/make-your-own-swahili-breakfast-mbaazi-na-mahamri |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=www.heygo.com |date=12 May 2020 |language=en }}</ref>

In the Enugu state of Nigeria, an Igbo dish called Ẹchịcha or ''Achịcha'' is made with palm oil, cocoyam, and seasoning.<ref>{{cite web |title=Achicha Ede (Echicha Ede) |url=https://www.allnigerianrecipes.com/cocoyam/achicha-ede/ |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=All Nigerian Recipes |language=en-US }}</ref> It is also similar to other dishes from the state such as ''ayarya ji'' and ''fio-fio''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Onyeakagbu |first=Adaobi |date=31 August 2021 |title=Fio Fio: How to prepare this spicy traditional Enugu dish |url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/food-travel/fio-fio-how-to-prepare-this-spicy-traditional-enugu-dish/97twdjl |access-date=13 May 2022 |newspaper=Pulse Nigeria |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=8 July 2020 |title=Ayaraya Oka, Pigeon peas, Fiofio and corn - Tasty 9ja |url=https://tastynigerianrecipes.com/ayaraya-oka/ |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=Tasty Nigerian Recipes |language=en-US |archive-date=13 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513065006/https://tastynigerianrecipes.com/ayaraya-oka/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=28 July 2019 |title=Ayaraya Ji (Yam And Pigeon Peas) |url=https://guardian.ng/life/ayaraya-ji-yam-and-pigeon-peas/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria |access-date=13 May 2022 |newspaper=The Guardian |language=en-US }}</ref>

In Ethiopia, the pods, the young shoots and leaves, are cooked and eaten.<ref>Zemede Asfaw, [http://www.bioversityinternational.org/publications/Web_version/500/ch08.htm "Conservation and use of traditional vegetables in Ethiopia"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707210646/http://www.bioversityinternational.org/publications/Web_version/500/ch08.htm |date=7 July 2012 }}, ''Proceedings of the IPGRI International Workshop on Genetic Resources of Traditional Vegetables in Africa'' (Nairobi, 29–31 August 1995)</ref>

====Asia==== thumb|''Dal/pappu'' and rice, the twice-daily staple meal for most people in India and the Indian subcontinent

In India, it is one of the most popular pulses, being an important source of protein in a mostly vegetarian diet. It is the primary accompaniment to rice or roti and has the status of staple food throughout the length and breadth of India. In regions where it grows, fresh young pods are eaten as a vegetable in dishes such as ''sambar''.

In the Western Visayas region of the Philippines, pigeon peas are the main ingredient of a very popular dish called "KBL"—an acronym for "Kadyos" (pigeon pea), "Baboy" (pork), and "Langka" (jackfruit). It is a savory soup with rich flavors coming from the pigeon peas, smoked pork preferably the legs or tail, and souring agent called batuan. Raw jackfruit meat is chopped and boiled to soft consistency, and serves as an extender. The violet color of the soup comes from the pigment of the variety commonly grown in the region.<ref>{{cite web |title=KBL – Kadyos, Baboy at Langka |url=https://www.overseaspinoycooking.net/2009/03/kbl-kadyos-baboy-at-langka.html |access-date=13 May 2022 |language=en }}</ref>

====The Americas==== In the Caribbean coast of Colombia, such as the Atlántico department of Colombia, the sopa de guandú con carne salada (or simply "gandules") is made with pigeon peas, yam, plantain, yuca, and spices.<ref>{{cite web |date=13 July 2010 |title=Sopa de Guandú {{!}} Colombia Buena |url=http://www.colombiabuena.com/colombia/sopa-de-guandu.html |access-date=13 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713025114/http://www.colombiabuena.com/colombia/sopa-de-guandu.html |archive-date=13 July 2010 }}</ref> During the week of Semana santa a sweet is made out of pigeon peas called ''dulce de guandules'' which is made by mashed and sweetened pigeon peas with origins in the maroon community of San Basilio de Palenque.<ref name="Heraldo">{{cite web |title=Recetas EH {{!}} Aprenda a preparar tres dulces típicos para la Cuaresma |url=https://www.elheraldo.co/entretenimiento/recetas-eh-aprenda-preparar-tres-dulces-tipicos-para-la-cuaresma-465178 |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=EL HERALDO |date=2 March 2018 |language=es }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2 October 2016 |title=El dulce sabor de Palenque |url=https://www.eluniversal.com.co/suplementos/facetas/el-dulce-sabor-de-palenque-236759-KXEU344428 |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=www.eluniversal.com.co |language=ES-es }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=La dulzura de San Basilio de Palenque |url=https://bibliotecadigital.udea.edu.co/bitstream/10495/14711/1/PelaezSusan_2008_DulzuraSanBasilo.pdf }}</ref>

In the Dominican Republic, a dish made of rice and green pigeon peas called moro de guandules is a traditional holiday food. It is also consumed as guandules guisados, which is a savoury stew with coconut and squash served with white rice. A variety of sancocho is also made based on green pigeon peas that includes poultry, pork, beef, yams, yucca, squash, plantain and others. Dominicans have a high regard for this legume and it is consumed widely.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pigeon Peas Rice With Sausage (Moro de Gandules y Salchichas) |url=https://hispanickitchen.com/recipes/pigeon-peas-rice-sausage-moro-de-guandules-y-salchichas/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014094243/http://hispanickitchen.com/recipes/pigeon-peas-rice-sausage-moro-de-guandules-y-salchichas/ |archive-date=14 October 2016 |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=Hispanic Kitchen |language=en-US }}</ref>

In Panama, pigeon peas are used in a dish called ''Arroz con guandú y coco'' or "rice with pigeon peas and coconut" traditionally prepared and consumed during the end of year holidays.<ref>{{cite web |last=Israely |first=Ruth |title=Arroz con Guandú y Coco (Rice with Pigeon Peas and Coconut Milk) |url=https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/arroz-con-guand-y-coco/ |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=Jamie Geller |date=June 2016 |language=en-us }}</ref>

In Puerto Rico, ''arroz con gandules'' is made with rice and pigeon peas and sofrito which is a traditional dish, especially during Christmas season.<ref>{{cite web |title=El Boricua, a bilingual , cultural publication for Puerto Ricans |url=http://www.elboricua.com/arroz_con_gandules.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000510191038/http://www.elboricua.com/arroz_con_gandules.html |archive-date=10 May 2000 |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=www.elboricua.com }}</ref> Pigeon peas can also be made in to a stew called ''asopao de gandules'', with plantain balls.<ref>{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=David |date=15 June 2021 |title=Asopao de Gandules ~ Pigeon Pea Stew |url=https://hispanicfoodnetwork.com/asopao-de-gandules-pigeon-pea-stew/ |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=Hispanic Food Network |language=en-US }}</ref>'' Escabeche de gandules'' is a spicy pickled pigeon pea salad typically served with bread. Pigeon peas are also used to make hummus on the island and called ''hummus de gandules''.

Jamaica also uses pigeon peas instead of kidney beans in their rice and peas dish, especially during the Christmas season.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hidden |first=Katie |date=20 December 2015 |title=Gungo Peas and Rice |url=https://tastetheislandstv.com/gungo-peas-and-rice/ |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=Taste the Islands |language=en-US }}</ref>

Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada have their own variant, called ''pelau'', which includes either beef or chicken, and occasionally pumpkin and pieces of cured pig tail.<ref>{{cite web |date=21 March 2022 |title=Pelau – A Popular and Historical Trinidadian Dish - New York Carib News |url=https://www.nycaribnews.com/articles/pelau-a-popular-and-historical-trinidadian-dish/ |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=New York Carib News - }}</ref>

Unlike in some other parts of the Greater Caribbean, in The Bahamas pigeon peas are used in dried form, light brown in color to make the heartier, heavier, signature Bahamian staple dish "Peas 'n Rice."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://trubahamianfoodtours.com/bites-of-nassau-food-tour/bahamian-must-eats-peas-n-rice/ |title=Tru Bahamian Must Eats: Peas & Rice |website=Tru Bahamian Food Tours |access-date=12 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112042143/http://trubahamianfoodtours.com/bites-of-nassau-food-tour/bahamian-must-eats-peas-n-rice/ |archive-date=12 January 2015 }}</ref>

====Oceania==== In Hawaii they are used to make a dish called ''gandule rice,''<ref>{{cite web |title=Hawaii Hispanic News - History Of Hispanics in Hawaii |url=http://www.hawaiihispanicnews.org/history_of_hispanics_in_hawaii |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=www.hawaiihispanicnews.org |archive-date=20 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520104259/http://hawaiihispanicnews.org/history_of_hispanics_in_hawaii }}</ref> also called ''godule rice,''<ref>{{cite web |title=Gondule rice hawaii |url=https://www.americastestkitchen.com/search?q=Gondule%20rice |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=www.americastestkitchen.com }}</ref> ''gundule rice'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Gundule Rice Recipes |url=https://recipes.sparkpeople.com/great-recipes.asp?food=gundule+rice |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=SparkRecipes |language=en }}</ref> and ''ganduddy rice''<ref>{{cite web |date=13 July 2018 |title=Puerto Rican Rice & Beans—By Way Of Hawaii |url=https://food52.com/blog/22721-puerto-rican-rice-beans-by-way-of-hawaii |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=Food52 |language=en-us }}</ref> originates on the island from the Puerto Rican community with historic ties to the island and is prepared in a similar manner to that of traditional Puerto Rican arroz con gandules.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arroz con Gandules Recipe (Gandule Rice) |url=https://www.pbs.org/food/recipes/arroz-con-gandules-gandule-rice |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=PBS Food |language=en-US }}</ref>

===Other uses=== ====Agricultural==== thumb|Harvested pods of pigeon peas in Benin

It is an important ingredient of animal feed used in West Africa, especially in Nigeria, where it is also grown. Leaves, pods, seeds and the residues of seed processing are used to feed all kinds of livestock.<ref>Heuzé V., Thiollet H., Tran G., Delagarde R., Bastianelli D., Lebas F., 2017. Pigeon pea (''Cajanus cajan'') seeds. Feedipedia, a programme by INRA, CIRAD, AFZ and FAO. https://www.feedipedia.org/node/329 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002230727/https://www.feedipedia.org/node/329/ |date=2 October 2020 }}</ref>

In the Congo pigeon peas are utilized as one of the main food forest and soil improvement crops after using a slash-and-burn fire technique called ''maala.''<ref>{{cite web |last=Bauer |first=Jean-Martin |date=9 May 2018 |title=Food and forests in Congo-Brazzaville |url=https://medium.com/world-food-programme-insight/food-and-forests-in-congo-brazzaville-3d201b9c264b |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=World Food Programme Insight |language=en }}</ref>

Pigeon peas are in some areas an important crop for green manure, providing up to 90&nbsp;kg nitrogen per hectare.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Adu-Gyamfi |first1=Joseph J. |last2=Myaka |first2=Fidelis A. |last3=Sakala |first3=Webster D. |last4=Odgaard |first4=Rie |last5=Vesterager |first5=Jens M. |last6=Høgh-Jensen |first6=Henning |title=Biological nitrogen fixation and nitrogen and phosphorus budgets in farmer-managed intercrops of maize–pigeonpea in semi-arid southern and eastern Africa |journal=Plant and Soil |date=June 2007 |volume=295 |issue=1–2 |pages=127–136 |doi=10.1007/s11104-007-9270-0 |bibcode=2007PlSoi.295..127A |s2cid=20000912 }}</ref> The woody stems of pigeon peas can also be used as firewood, fencing, thatch and as a source for rope fiber.<ref>{{cite web |title=Effects of Pre-Treatments on Pigeon Pea Stalk Fibers |url=https://www.europeanjournalofsciences.co.uk/ejs1901.pdf }}</ref>

====Medicinal====

Pigeon pea has been valued for its medicinal properties since prehistoric times in various regions, including Africa, Egypt and Asia. Today, different countries use different parts of the plant to treat a range of diseases as an alternative medicine. In the Republic of Congo the Kongo, Lari, and Dondo people use the sap of the leaves as an eyedrop for epilepsy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Prelude Medicinal Plants Database - Browse by reference - HA 05 {{!}} Royal Museum for Central Africa - Tervuren - Belgium |url=https://www.africamuseum.be/en/research/collections_libraries/biology/prelude/view_reference?ri=HA%2005&cur_page=2 |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=www.africamuseum.be }}</ref> In Nigeria the leaves are used to treat malaria, while in India they are used to treat diabetes, stomach tumours and wounds. In Oman, pigeon pea is used to treat chronic diseases, and in traditional Chinese medicine it is used to relieve pain and control intestinal worms. In Africa, the seeds are used to treat hepatitis and measles. The widespread traditional medicinal use of the plant is attributed to its rich content of phenolic compounds, which have antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycaemic effects. The leaves also contain flavonoids, terpenoids, essential oils and coumarin, which further enhance its therapeutic potential in the fight against disease.<ref>Abdulmajid Haji u. a., "Nutritional Composition, Bioactive Compounds, Food Applications, and Health Benefits of Pigeon Pea (''Cajanus cajan'' L. Millsp.): A Review", Legume Science 6, Nr. 2 (Juni 2024): e233, https://doi.org/10.1002/leg3.233.</ref> There are different studies looking at how the medicinal compounds of pigeon pea could be used in future. One study, using rats, found that a pigeonpea beverage could be used as an anti-diabetic functional drink. This drink would help to reduce plasma glucose and total cholesterol levels and increase plasma antioxidant status. Therefore, it could be used in future as an alternative strategy to maintain plasma glucose and cholesterol at normal levels and help prevent diabetes complications.<ref>Ariviani, S, D R Affandi, E Listyaningsih, und S Handajani. "The potential of pigeon pea (''Cajanus cajan'') beverage as an anti-diabetic functional drink". IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 102 (Januar 2018): 012054. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/102/1/012054</ref> Furthermore, pigeon pea could be used as a fermented food as this would increase its antioxidant levels and therefore, have an antiatherosclerotic effect. This would help to improve systolic blood pressure as well as diastolic blood pressure. This benefits cardiovascular health and could be developed as a new dietary supplement or functional food that prevents hypertension.<ref>Lee, Bao-Hong, Yi-Syuan Lai, und She-Ching Wu. "Antioxidation, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibition Activity, Nattokinase, and Antihypertension of Bacillus Subtilis (Natto)-Fermented Pigeon Pea". Journal of Food and Drug Analysis 23, Nr. 4 (Dezember 2015): 750–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfda.2015.06.008.</ref>

In Madagascar the branches have been used as a teeth cleaning twig.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Portères |first=Roland |date=1974 |title=Les baguettes végétales mâchées servant de frotte-dents (fin) |url=https://www.persee.fr/doc/jatba_0021-7662_1974_num_21_4_3157 |journal=Journal d'agriculture traditionnelle et de botanique appliquée |volume=21 |issue=4 |pages=111–150 |doi=10.3406/jatba.1974.3157 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last= |date=5 September 2021 |title=AMBREVADES OU POIDS D'ANGOLE |url=https://lidieousseniali.com/ambrevades-ou-poids-dangole/ |access-date=13 May 2022 |website=LIDIE OUSSENI-ALI |language=fr-FR }}</ref>

==See also== * List of pigeon pea diseases

==References== {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links== {{Commons}} * {{cite journal |doi=10.1007/s13562-011-0088-8 |pmid=24431589 |pmc=3886394 |title=The first draft of the pigeonpea genome sequence |journal=Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology |volume=21 |pages=98–112 |year=2011 |last1=Singh |first1=Nagendra K. |last2=Gupta |first2=Deepak K. |last3=Jayaswal |first3=Pawan K. |last4=Mahato |first4=Ajay K. |last5=Dutta |first5=Sutapa |last6=Singh |first6=Sangeeta |last7=Bhutani |first7=Shefali |last8=Dogra |first8=Vivek |last9=Singh |first9=Bikram P.| last10 = Kumawat| first10 = Giriraj |last11=Pal |first11=Jitendra K. |last12=Pandit |first12=Awadhesh |last13=Singh |first13=Archana |last14=Rawal |first14=Hukum |last15=Kumar |first15=Akhilesh |last16=Rama Prashat |first16=G. |last17=Khare |first17=Ambika |last18=Yadav |first18=Rekha |last19=Raje |first19=Ranjit S.| last20 = Singh| first20 = Mahendra N. |last21=Datta |first21=Subhojit |last22=Fakrudin |first22=Bashasab |last23=Wanjari |first23=Keshav B. |last24=Kansal |first24=Rekha |last25=Dash |first25=Prasanta K. |last26=Jain |first26=Pradeep K. |last27=Bhattacharya |first27=Ramcharan |last28=Gaikwad |first28=Kishor |last29=Mohapatra |first29=Trilochan| last30 = Srinivasan| first30 = R. |issue=1 |bibcode=2012JPBB...21...98S |display-authors=1}} * [http://www.icar.org.in/node/3815 Decoding of the Pigeonpea (Arhar) Genome by Indian Scientists], Indian Council of Agricultural Research * {{cite journal |doi=10.1038/nbt.2022 |pmid=22057054 |title=Draft genome sequence of pigeonpea (''Cajanus cajan''), an orphan legume crop of resource-poor farmers |journal=Nature Biotechnology |volume=30 |issue=1 |pages=83–9 |year=2011 |last1=Varshney |first1=Rajeev K |last2=Chen |first2=Wenbin |last3=Li |first3=Yupeng |last4=Bharti |first4=Arvind K |last5=Saxena |first5=Rachit K |last6=Schlueter |first6=Jessica A |last7=Donoghue |first7=Mark T A |last8=Azam |first8=Sarwar |last9=Fan |first9=Guangyi | last10 = Whaley | first10 = Adam M |last11=Farmer |first11=Andrew D |last12=Sheridan |first12=Jaime |last13=Iwata |first13=Aiko |last14=Tuteja |first14=Reetu |last15=Penmetsa |first15=R Varma |last16=Wu |first16=Wei |last17=Upadhyaya |first17=Hari D |last18=Yang |first18=Shiaw-Pyng |last19=Shah |first19=Trushar | last20 = Saxena | first20 = K B |last21=Michael |first21=Todd |last22=McCombie |first22=W Richard |last23=Yang |first23=Bicheng |last24=Zhang |first24=Gengyun |last25=Yang |first25=Huanming |last26=Wang |first26=Jun |last27=Spillane |first27=Charles |last28=Cook |first28=Douglas R |last29=May |first29=Gregory D | last30 = Xu | first30 = Xun |s2cid=95294 |display-authors=1 |url=http://oar.icrisat.org/3886/4/NB_30_1_83-89_2012.pdf |doi-access=free}} * [http://www.icrisat.org/newsroom/latest-news/happenings/happenings1492.htm#1 ICRISAT-led global team cracks pigeonpea genome] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407211735/http://www.icrisat.org/newsroom/latest-news/happenings/happenings1492.htm#1 |date=7 April 2020 }}, Indian Council of Agricultural Research * [http://www.icrisat.org/newsroom/latest-news/happenings/happenings1584.htm#3 Pigeonpea a wonder crop for women farmers in Rajasthan, India] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615091903/https://www.icrisat.org/newsroom/latest-news/happenings/happenings1584.htm#3 |date=15 June 2021 }}, Indian Council of Agricultural Research

{{Taxonbar|from=Q632559}}

Category:Phaseoleae Category:Edible legumes Category:Flora of India (region) Category:Crops originating from India Category:Nitrogen-fixing crops Category:Tropical agriculture Category:Botanical taxa named by Carl Linnaeus