Cultivation Practices for Pearl Millet (Bajra)

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a significant cereal crop, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, due to its high drought tolerance. It is grown for grain, fodder, and forage, contributing to food security and livestock sustenance. Below are detailed practices for its cultivation:

Origin and History

• Origin: Believed to have originated in Africa, pearl millet is one of the oldest cultivated crops.
• Spread: It spread to India and other parts of Asia over 3,000 years ago.
• Importance: Grown mainly in arid regions as a subsistence crop, it plays a vital role in food security.

Taxonomy

• Scientific Name: Pennisetum glaucum.
• Family: Poaceae (Grass family).
• Common Names:
  • Hindi: Bajra.
  • English: Pearl millet.
  • Other Regional Names: Kambu (Tamil), Sajje (Kannada), Sajjalu (Telugu).

Geographic Distribution

• Global: Primarily grown in India, Africa, the USA, and Southeast Asia.
• India: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Haryana are leading states in production.

Uses of Pearl Millet

1. Food Crop: Consumed as flatbreads (roti), porridge, and gruel. Rich in calories, protein, fiber, and micronutrients like iron and zinc.
2. Fodder and Forage: Used as green or dry fodder for livestock. High digestibility and nutrient value.
3. Industrial Use: Utilized in brewing, bioethanol production, and animal feed industries.
4. Soil Conservation: Used as a cover crop in drylands to prevent soil erosion.

Nutritional Composition

• Calories: High-energy cereal.
• Protein: Contains 10–12% protein.
• Fiber: Rich in dietary fiber.
• Minerals: High in iron, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
• Vitamins: Contains B-complex vitamins, especially niacin, folate, and riboflavin.
• Gluten-Free: Suitable for people with gluten intolerance.

Key Characteristics

• Growth Habit: Tall annual grass, reaching up to 2–3 meters in height.
• Root System: Deep-rooted crop, making it highly drought-tolerant.
• Panicles: Dense, spike-like inflorescences that bear grains.
• Grains: Small, round, and vary in color from white, yellow, gray, and brown.

Leading Producing Countries

• India: Largest producer, contributing over 40% of global production.
• Africa: Nigeria, Sudan, and Niger are significant producers.
• Others: Pakistan, USA, and parts of Southeast Asia.

Climate Requirements

• Temperature:
  • Requires warm temperatures (20–30°C) for germination and growth.
  • Temperatures above 35°C during flowering can reduce yields.
• Rainfall:
  • Ideal rainfall is 25–50 cm annually.
  • It tolerates low and erratic rainfall, making it ideal for dryland farming.
• Growing Season:
  • Primarily grown during the Kharif season (monsoon, June–July).
  • Can also be cultivated as a summer crop with irrigation or a Rabi crop in specific regions (e.g., Gujarat, Rajasthan).

Soil Requirements

• Suitable for a wide range of soils, including:
  • Light sandy soils,
  • Loamy soils, and
  • Saline-alkaline soils.
• Tolerates acidic to alkaline pH levels (5.5–8.0).
• Requires well-drained soils, as waterlogging is harmful.

Land Preparation

• Tillage:
  • Plough the field 2–3 times to achieve a fine tilth.
  • Remove weeds and crop residues.
• Leveling:
  • Level the field to ensure uniform water distribution and proper seed placement.
  • Incorporate organic manure (10–15 tons/ha) during ploughing to improve soil fertility.

Improved Varieties of Pearl Millet

• Hybrid Varieties: HHB 67, RHB 121, ICTP 8203.
• Open-Pollinated Varieties: Pusa 322, WCC 75.
• Dual-Purpose Varieties: GHB 558, HHB 197.

Seed and Sowing Practices

• Seed Rate:
  • Grain production: 4–5 kg/ha.
  • Fodder production: 6–8 kg/ha.
• Seed Treatment:
  • Treat seeds with fungicides (Thiram or Captan at 2 g/kg of seed) to protect against soil-borne diseases.
  • For pest protection, treat with Imidacloprid @ 5 g/kg of seed.
• Spacing:
  • Grain crop: 45 cm × 10–15 cm.
  • Fodder crop: 30 cm × 10 cm.
• Depth:
  • Sow seeds 2–3 cm deep.
• Time of Sowing:
  • Kharif season: June–July (onset of monsoon).
  • Summer crop: Late February to early March with irrigation.
  • Rabi crop: September–October in irrigated areas.

Fertilizer Management

• Nutrient Requirements (per hectare):
  • Nitrogen (N): 60–80 kg.
  • Phosphorus (P₂O₅): 20–30 kg.
  • Potassium (K₂O): 20 kg.
• Application:
  • Basal dose: Apply 50% of nitrogen, all phosphorus, and potassium at sowing.
  • Top dressing: Apply the remaining nitrogen in two splits:
    • At the 4-week stage (tillering).
    • At the 8-week stage (flowering).
• Micronutrients: Apply Zinc sulfate (25 kg/ha) in zinc-deficient soils.

Irrigation Management

• Mostly grown as a rainfed crop, relying on monsoon rainfall.
• Under irrigated conditions, provide 2–3 light irrigations:
  • First irrigation: Tillering stage.
  • Second irrigation: Flowering stage.
  • Third irrigation: Grain filling stage.
• Avoid waterlogging, especially during germination and early growth.

Weed Management

• Critical period: First 20–30 days after sowing.
• Manual weeding: Perform hand weeding or hoeing 2–3 times during early growth.
• Chemical control: Use Atrazine (0.5–1.0 kg a.i./ha) as a pre-emergence herbicide.

Pest and Disease Management

Major Pests:

1. Shoot fly:
   • Causes deadheart symptoms in young plants.
   • Control: Seed treatment with Imidacloprid (5 g/kg) and soil application of Carbofuran.
2. Stem borer:
   • Larvae bore into stems and reduce yield.
   • Control: Spray Chlorpyrifos @ 2 ml/liter of water.

Major Diseases:

1. Downy Mildew (Green Ear Disease):
   • Symptoms: White downy growth on the underside of leaves.
   • Control: Seed treatment with Metalaxyl (2 g/kg of seed).
2. Blast:
   • Symptoms: Lesions on leaves and stems.
   • Control: Spray Carbendazim @ 1 g/liter of water.

Harvesting

• Maturity Duration: 75–90 days after sowing.
• Signs of Maturity:
  • Grains turn hard, shiny, and the panicles appear dry.
  • Moisture content in grains reduces to around 20%.
• Harvesting Method: Harvest panicles manually or using sickles.

Yield

• Grain Yield:
  • Rainfed conditions: 15–20 quintals/ha.
  • Irrigated conditions: 25–30 quintals/ha.
• Fodder Yield:
  • 40–50 tons/ha under ideal conditions.

Post-Harvest Management

• Drying: Dry grains to a moisture content of 12% for safe storage.
• Storage: Use clean, dry, and pest-free bins to store grains. Treat storage structures with fumigants like Aluminium Phosphide to control grain pests.