Archive · 12 Aug 2025
Scientists Discover Gene to Combat Pigeon Pea Disease
Scientists have discovered a way to help pigeon pea plants fight a disease called Sterility Mosaic disease that harms crops.
They found a special part, a gene named Ccsmd04, in a common type of pigeon pea that helps the plant resist the disease.
This discovery can help farmers grow healthy pigeon peas.
Using smart tools, the scientists were able to find this gene.
The gene can help the plant defend itself against the disease and scientists have found tools to quickly see if new plants have the gene.
They hope to help farmers by improving the crop.
Scientists identified a gene, Ccsmd04, that provides pigeon pea resistance to Sterility Mosaic disease.
The disease can cause up to 90% yield loss, posing a threat to pigeon pea crops.
The gene was discovered in the Asha variety of pigeon pea.
Researchers used advanced genomics and computational analysis in their discovery.
The discovery includes InDel markers for early screening of resistant pigeon pea varieties.
- Who
- A team of scientists from Indian agricultural research institutes.
- What
- Scientists identified a gene providing resistance to Sterility Mosaic disease in pigeon peas.
- When
- The research was published on August 12, 2025.
- Where
- The research was conducted at agricultural institutes in India.
- Why
- To mitigate the significant crop losses caused by Sterility Mosaic disease.
Scientists
Pigeon Pea Farmers
Breeding and Improvement
Scientists
The InDel markers can be used to screen pigeon pea breeding progenies for early generation selection of SMD resistance.
Pigeon Pea Farmers
The gene information can be valuable for genetic improvement through gene editing.
- Gene Identified
- Ccsmd04
- Crop Affected
- Pigeon Pea (tur)
- Disease
- Sterility Mosaic disease (SMD)
- Yield Loss
- Up to 90%
- Pigeon Pea Variety
- Asha (ICPL 87119)
- Research Method
- Advanced genomics, phenomics, and computational analysis