In order to maximize polymorphism in the mapping populations for mapping loci for Fusarium wilt (FW) and sterility mosaic disease (SMD) resistance in pigeonpea, a set of 32 pigeonpea lines were screened for polymorphism with 30 microsatellite or simple sequence repeat markers. A total of 23 marker loci showed polymorphism with 2???4 alleles and the polymorphism information content for these markers ranged from 0.12 to 0.65 with an average of 0.43 per marker. High number of polymorphic markers, higher genetic dissimilarity coefficient and contrasting phenotypic data taken into consideration and five parental combinations were identified and crosses initiated for developing five genetically diverse mapping populations. Of these crosses, one cross segregates for FW resistance, two for SMD resistance and the remaining two crosses segregate for resistance to both FW and SMD. Development of mapping populations is in progress for mapping loci for resistance to FW and SMD in pigeonpea.