The extent of variation in ratoonability was examined in a range of re
cently bred short-duration pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] geno
types in 1989/90, 1990/91 and 1991/92 at the ICRISAT Asia Center, Andh
ra Pradesh, India. Traits with which this variation could be associate
d were assessed. Differences in the total ratoon yield of two flushes
were significant among the genotypes in each season. In a few genotype
s, ratoon yield constituted 50 % of the total yield, which could be as
high as 5.6 t/ha. Total ratoon yield was positively correlated with l
eaf area index in the last 2 years of experimentation. The relationshi
p of total ratoon yield to main crop yield was significantly positive
in 1991/92 only. The results suggest that there is a large variation i
n ratoonability among short-duration genotypes and that high leaf area
retention at main crop maturity appears to contribute substantially t
o this variation.