BAJRA (Pearl Millet)

• Botanical Name: Pennisetum americanum or Pennisetum glaucum
• Chromosome Number (2n): 14
• Origin: Africa
• Pollination: Cross-pollinated (Protogynous)
• Nickname: Poor man’s food grain

Uses of Bajra:

• Roti, porridge, flour, snacks
• Fodder, silage, and green manure

Climate Requirement:

• Hot and dry conditions; thrives in arid and semi-arid regions
• Optimum temperature: 28–32°C
• Rainfall: 350–600 mm is ideal

Soil Requirement:

• Sandy loam to loam; well-drained
• Tolerates acidic to saline-alkaline soils (pH 6.0–8.5)

Major Bajra Growing States:

• Rajasthan (1st in area and production), Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana

Nutritional Value:

• High in iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), fiber, and protein
• Gluten-free and suitable for diabetic patients

Research and Importance:

• AICRP on Pearl Millet: Located in Jodhpur
• Also known as candle millet, dark millet, spiked millet
• Highest mineral content (2.7%) among cereals
• Prop/Brace Roots: Emerge from 2nd & 3rd nodes for support
• Drought Tolerance: Highest among cereals & millets
• Very low water requirement, but sensitive to waterlogging

Seed Rate:

• Direct sowing: 4–5 kg/ha
• Transplanting: 2 kg/ha

Notable Varieties & Lines:

• First Male Sterile Line: Tift 23-A1
• First Hybrid: HB-1 (1965, PAU, Ludhiana) → Tift 23-A × BIL-3B
• Popular Hybrid: PHB-10 (1975, PAU, Ludhiana)
• Pusa Napier-1: Developed in 1947 via inter-specific cross: Pennisetum purpureum × P. glaucum

Weed Issue:

• Striga spp. also affects Bajra, as in Jowar
• Nitrogen Efficiency: Bajra is nitro-positive
• Pre-emergence: Atrazine @ 0.5 kg/ha
• Manual weeding at 20–25 DAS

Diseases and Pests:

• Downy mildew, smut, ergot, rust – major diseases
• Shoot fly and stem borer – major insect pests

Fertilizer Dose (Rainfed):

• 60:30:20 NPK kg/ha
• Apply 1/2 N as basal; rest at 25–30 DAS