Table 4 Standardized protocol for speed breeding in pigeonpea for extra-early (EE), early (E), mid-early (ME), medium (M) and late (L) maturing groups

Pot size

4 inches

4 inches

4 inches

4 inches

4 inches

Soil mixture

3 Red soil: 2 Sand: 1 Vermi-compost

-

-

-

-

Fertilizer spray

-

Foliar spray of 1% NPK (20:20:20) after 7 DAS and top up with 1% SSP after 10 days of first dose followed by need based NPK spray

Need based NPK spray

Need based NPK spray

-

Micronutrients spray

-

-

Foliar spray of 1% Boron Spray at 30DAS and continued based on flowering at 7 days interval

Foliar spray of 1% potassium at pod filling stage and continued based on seed set until physiological maturity

-

Irrigation

Manual/ automatic irrigation once a day

Manual/ automatic irrigation once a day

Manual/ automatic irrigation once a day

Manual/ automatic irrigation once a day

Manual/ automatic irrigation once in 2 days and withdrawn 5 days prior to harvest

Temperature

32–35^◦C Day/ 22–25^◦C Night

32–35^◦C Day/ 22–25^◦C Night

25–27^◦C Day/ 16–18^◦C Night

32–35^◦C Day/ 22–25^◦C Night

32–35^◦C Day/ 22–25^◦C Night

Humidity

60–70%

60–70%

70–80%

60–70%

60–70%

Light wavelength

White: 5700 K LED channel

White: 5700 K LED channel

Far-Red light: 735 nm

White: 5700 K LED channel

White: 5700 K LED channel

Photo period

13 h light: 11 h dark

13 h light: 11 h dark

8 h light: 16 h dark

13 h light: 11 h dark

13 h light: 11 h dark

Days of growth

1. Extra early

1–3

4–20

21–45

41–60

61–80

2. Mid-early

1–3

4–20

21–80

81–110

111–130

3. Medium

1–3

4–20

21–90

91–120

121–150

4. Late

1–3

4–20

21–100

121–140

141–170

Critical Observations

Early seedling emergence & growth

Vigorous growth & high foliage

Early flowering

Proper pod filling and seed set

Bold and dry seed