ICAR pigeonpea genome becomes global T2T reference
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ICAR has produced India’s first fully annotated telomere-to-telomere (T2T) reference genome, for pigeonpea (arhar or tur) variety ‘Asha’, the Agriculture Ministry said on 4 August 2026. It has been approved as the global reference genome of the crop. The sequence covers 752.65 million base pairs across all 11 chromosomes, with 36,557 genes identified.
- Released
- 4 Aug 2026, Agriculture Ministry
- Crop
- pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), variety Asha
- Institute
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology (NIPB), New Delhi
- Size
- 752.65 million base pairs in 92 contigs
- Completeness
- 11 chromosomes, 11 centromeres, 22 telomeres
- Genes
- 36,557 genes; 48,008 mRNAs
The pigeonpea T2T genome: what happened?
A telomere-to-telomere genome reads every chromosome from one end to the other with no gaps. For breeders, that is like moving from a rough sketch to a full map. NIPB did the world’s first draft genome of a pulse crop in 2011; this is the finished version.
- The assembly NIPB_CcT2T_4 was deposited with NCBI and released on 20 April 2026.
- RNA mapping showed more than 99.9% read alignment.
- An improved draft had been published in 2017.
- The 2011 draft was also the first crop genome sequenced entirely in India.
Why does it matter for pulses?
- It helps find genes for yield, nutrition and climate resilience, and supports molecular breeding and genome editing.
- The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (2025-26 to 2030-31) aims for about 35 million tonnes of pulses by 2030-31.
Why does the pigeonpea T2T genome matter?
- Food security: Better pigeonpea varieties support protein supply.
- Science: A global reference genome made in India.
What can Prelims ask on the pigeonpea T2T genome?
- Pigeonpea T2T genome: variety Asha; ICAR-NIPB; 11 chromosomes; 752.65 Mb.
- 2011: world’s first draft genome of a pulse crop (pigeonpea).
- Pulses Mission target: about 35 million tonnes by 2030-31.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-08-04): ICAR's pigeonpea sequence was approved as the global reference genome, India's first fully annotated telomere-to-telomere genome.
- A full genome speeds up breeding of climate-resilient pulses.
Quotable data pointICAR-NIPB produced the world's first draft genome of a pulse crop in 2011.
PIB: Agriculture: pigeonpea reference genome, 4 Aug 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: T2T genome.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
The world's first draft genome of a pulse crop, published in 2011 by an Indian institute, was of
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB (Agriculture), 4 Aug 2026.
Questions students ask about this
What is a T2T genome?
A telomere-to-telomere genome is a complete sequence of every chromosome from end to end. For pigeonpea it covers all 11 chromosomes, centromeres and telomeres.
Which pigeonpea variety was sequenced?
The variety Asha, by ICAR-NIPB, New Delhi.
How many genes were found?
36,557 genes, producing 48,008 mRNAs.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: Agriculture: pigeonpea reference genome, 4 Aug 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending