Maruti (ICP 8863)
A landmark ICRISAT pigeonpea variety released as Maruti in Karnataka in 1986. Its defining strength is very strong Fusarium-wilt resistance. It became especially important in northern Karnataka and spread through farmer adoption into neighboring pigeonpea-growing areas, but it is highly susceptible to sterility mosaic disease.
Quick facts
- Crop
- Arhar (Tur)
- Type
- Pigeonpea variety
- Season
- Kharif
- Maturity period
- 150–180 days; commercial listings commonly state about 150–160 days
- Seed rate
- 12 kg/ha in the current Maharashtra State Seeds Corporation (Mahabeej) variety listing; local sole-crop or intercrop recommendations may differ
- Expected yield
- About 15–16 q/ha yield potential under suitable management; older official variety tables report about 10–12 q/ha average yield, while ICRISAT/ICAR material reports roughly 1.5–1.6 t/ha potential
- Suitable soil
- Well-drained black soil and other well-drained soils suitable for pigeonpea
- Release
- Released as Maruti for cultivation in Karnataka in 1986; developed through ICRISAT selection from ICP 7626 (P-15-3-3) under severe Fusarium-wilt pressure
About this variety
Maruti, also known as ICP 8863, is a medium-duration pigeonpea variety developed through ICRISAT selection from ICP 7626 (P-15-3-3), a landrace from Uttar Pradesh. The original material was screened under severe Fusarium-wilt pressure at ICRISAT Patancheru, with resistant plants repeatedly selected in wilt-sick plots. ICP 8863 was tested at 13 locations in India between the 1978/79 and 1989/90 cropping seasons and was released as Maruti for cultivation in Karnataka in 1986. At Patancheru it takes about 111–120 days to reach 50% flowering and 150–180 days to mature. It is semi-spreading, indeterminate and medium-statured, with plants about 150–180 cm tall. Seeds are oval and range from orange to dark brown, with a 100-seed mass of about 9.5 g. ICRISAT documented very high Fusarium-wilt resistance and reported that the variety performed well in both dry and wet seasons and was suitable for sole cropping and intercropping. Later disease research clearly identifies ICP 8863 as susceptible to sterility mosaic disease, so its wilt resistance should not be interpreted as broad resistance to all major pigeonpea diseases.
Key characteristics
Sowing & cultivation
- Sowing timeJune–July with the onset of the kharif season, timed with monsoon arrival and local pigeonpea recommendations
- Seed rate12 kg/ha in the current Maharashtra State Seeds Corporation (Mahabeej) variety listing; local sole-crop or intercrop recommendations may differ
- SpacingAbout 90 cm between rows and around 20 cm between plants is a documented production geometry used with ICP 8863; spacing should be adjusted according to soil, rainfall and sole/intercropping system
- Sowing methodLine sowing is preferred for uniform plant stand and easier intercultural operations. ICP 8863 is suitable for both sole cropping and intercropping.
- IrrigationPrimarily suited to kharif production, including rainfed systems. Avoid prolonged waterlogging and provide supplemental irrigation during prolonged dry spells where irrigation is available, particularly around flowering and pod filling.
- FertilizerFollow the current soil-test-based and locally recommended nutrient package for pigeonpea rather than assigning a variety-specific fertilizer dose. Avoid excessive nitrogen because pigeonpea is a legume.
- HarvestingICRISAT reports about 150–180 days to maturity at Patancheru, while current commercial listings commonly give about 150–160 days. Harvest when most pods have matured and turned brown and seeds have reached full development; dry grain properly before storage.
Soil & climate
Soil
- Suitable soil
- Well-drained soils, including the black soils common in the peninsular pigeonpea belt. Good drainage is important.
- Irrigation
- Good drainage is preferred. Prolonged standing water should be avoided. The main soil-related concern is prolonged waterlogging rather than a narrow soil-type restriction.
Climate
- Climate
- A kharif pigeonpea adapted to the peninsular Indian production belt. ICRISAT documented good performance in both dry and wet seasons. Its strongest documented disease-related adaptation is Fusarium-wilt resistance, while sterility mosaic remains a major vulnerability.
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
150–180 days; commercial listings commonly state about 150–160 days
Expected yield
About 15–16 q/ha yield potential under suitable management; older official variety tables report about 10–12 q/ha average yield, while ICRISAT/ICAR material reports roughly 1.5–1.6 t/ha potential
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
- Fusarium wilt — highly resistant. In ICRISAT multilocation wilt-sick-plot testing, ICP 8863 recorded 0–26% mean wilt incidence across 13 locations, compared with 45–100% in the susceptible check ICP 2376.
- Sterility mosaic disease — highly susceptible. ICP 8863 is widely used as a susceptible genotype/check in SMD research and should not be presented as SMD-resistant.
- Pod borer and other pigeonpea insect pests remain important production risks; strong wilt resistance does not eliminate the need for regular crop monitoring.
Management notes
- Maruti is particularly valuable where Fusarium-wilt pressure is a known production problem because its strongest documented advantage is high wilt resistance.
- Do not rely on Maruti for sterility-mosaic protection. Scout regularly for SMD, especially in areas with a known history of the disease.
- Monitor flowering and pod-development stages for pod borer and other insect pests and follow current local integrated pest-management recommendations.
- Use certified or quality seed and maintain good field sanitation and crop rotation where locally recommended, particularly in wilt- and SMD-prone fields.
Advantages & considerations
Why farmers may choose it
- Very strong and well-documented Fusarium-wilt resistance demonstrated over many years and multiple wilt-endemic locations.
- Released specifically for Karnataka and subsequently achieved substantial farmer adoption in northern Karnataka and neighboring pigeonpea-growing areas.
- Suitable for both sole cropping and intercropping.
- Performs across both dry and wet seasons according to the ICRISAT variety description.
- Medium-sized orange to dark-brown seeds and semi-spreading indeterminate growth fit established peninsular pigeonpea production systems.
Things to consider
- Do not confuse Fusarium-wilt resistance with broad disease resistance. Maruti is highly susceptible to sterility mosaic disease.
- The official release was for Karnataka. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and neighboring areas have documented farmer adoption, but local state recommendations should take priority elsewhere.
- Published maturity differs by source and environment: ICRISAT reports 150–180 days, while current Mahabeej and commercial listings commonly report about 150–160 days.
- Yield figures vary substantially by environment and definition. ICRISAT/ICAR material supports roughly 1.5–1.6 t/ha potential, while older official tables report around 10–12 q/ha average yield. These should not be presented as guaranteed farm yield.
- Mahabeej currently lists ICP-8863 as resistant to sterility mosaic, but this conflicts with multiple disease-screening studies that identify ICP 8863 as susceptible or highly susceptible. The research evidence is stronger and should be used for the disease-resistance field.
- Maruti is an old 1986 release. Newer locally recommended varieties may offer higher yield or combined Fusarium-wilt and sterility-mosaic resistance in some regions.
Suitable regions
States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.
- Karnataka
- Maharashtra
- Andhra Pradesh
- Telangana
Frequently asked questions
What is Maruti (ICP 8863) pigeonpea?
Maruti is a medium-duration pigeonpea variety developed through ICRISAT selection and released in Karnataka in 1986. It is best known for its very strong Fusarium-wilt resistance.
Is Maruti pigeonpea resistant to Fusarium wilt?
Yes. Maruti has a very high level of Fusarium-wilt resistance. In ICRISAT multilocation testing, wilt incidence was far lower than in the susceptible check ICP 2376.
Is Maruti resistant to sterility mosaic disease?
No. Maruti (ICP 8863) is highly susceptible to sterility mosaic disease and is used as a susceptible genotype/check in SMD research.
How many days does Maruti pigeonpea take to mature?
ICRISAT reports about 150–180 days to maturity at Patancheru, while current commercial listings commonly describe it as about 150–160 days.
What is the yield potential of Maruti pigeonpea?
ICRISAT/ICAR material supports roughly 1.5–1.6 t/ha yield potential under suitable conditions. Older official tables report about 10–12 q/ha average yield, so actual farm yield can be considerably lower depending on environment and management.
Where is Maruti pigeonpea suitable?
It was officially released for Karnataka and became particularly important in northern Karnataka. Farmer adoption is also documented in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, although those states were not the original official release area.
Can Maruti be grown as an intercrop?
Yes. The ICRISAT variety description specifically states that ICP 8863 is suitable for both sole cropping and intercropping.
What is the seed rate of Maruti pigeonpea?
The current Maharashtra State Seeds Corporation listing gives 12 kg/ha. Actual seed rate should follow the local sole-crop or intercrop recommendation and planting geometry.
Sourced from: ICRISAT — Pigeonpea Variety ICP 8863, Plant Material Description No. 44, ICRISAT — Pigeonpea Variety ICP 8863, ICRISAT Genebank — ICP 8863 Passport Summary, ICRISAT — Adoption of Maruti (ICP 8863): A Case Study, ICRISAT — Pigeonpea Sterility Mosaic Disease research, Frontiers in Microbiology — Sterility Mosaic Disease screening, ICAR-CRIDA — Important Agricultural Crops / Variety Information, Maharashtra State Seeds Corporation (Mahabeej) — Tur varieties, Shree Seeds Corporation — Maruti Tur (ICP8863). editorial policy.