Pearl millet cultivation (forage purpose)

- October 05, 2020

Pearl millet is also known as bulrush millet, spikal millet, African millet or cattail millet. It is quick growing short duration crop. It is outstanding summer growing fodder crop for dry farming areas due to high tillering, drought tolerance, heat tolerance, high photosynthetic efficiency, versatile adaptation to soil types, high dry matter production. The crude protein content at flowering is as high as 15%. The herbage cut at early flowering stage contains 6.8 - 12.8% CP, 0.9 - 1.8% EF, 29 - 34% CF, 41 - 52% NFE, 0.29 - 0.69% Ca and 0.47 - 0.84% P.

Climate and soil

Climate

Pearl millet requires warm and dry weather. High temperature is required for rapid growth especially at latter stages of growth. It can grow in areas receiving 250 to 800 mm rainfall . Due to extensive and deep root system, crop can with stand considerable moisture stress. Heavy rain, prolonged cloudiness, high humidity and colder conditions are detrimental to its growth.

Soil

It can grow on alluvial sandy soils to red and medium black soils. The soil should be well drained. Acid, alkali and low-lying areas should be avoided.

Land Preparation

Pearl millet requires firm and fine seed bed. It does not require intensive or deep cultivation. One ploughing and a harrowing is sufficient to obtain good seed bed.

Seed rate and spacing

Pearl millet is sown at a spacing of 25 to 30 cm within the rows using seed rate of 20 kg per hectare.

Sowing method

It is sown by drilling the seeds in line with the help of seed drill. It is grown either as pure crop or mixture with cow pea, velvet bean and moth. Two rows of Bajra are alternated with two rows of legume. The seed rate should be reduced to half to their normal rates.

Seed treatment

The seeds should be treated with 30% common salt solution(Brine solution) to remove the diseased seeds and to avoid incidence of ergot. The seeds are also treated with thiram or captan @ 3 g per kg of seeds to control downy mildew disease.

Nutrient management

The crop should be manured with 10-12 t/ha FYM before sowing. For high yields and better herbage 60:30:20 kg NPK per hectare at the time of sowing and 30 kg nitrogen per hectare one month after sowing should be applied.

Water management

Kharif crop generally does not require any irrigation. In summer, irrigation may be given every fortnight depending upon growth stage, soil type and climate.

Weed management

A crop under better management grows quickly and suppresses the weeds. However, one to two hoeing and weddings depending upon weed intensity and ensures good growth.

Chemical weed control in pure stand consists pre-emergence application of Atrazine @ 0.5 kg a.i./ha under irrigated condition. Broad leaved weed in the standing crop can be controlled by spraying 2,4-D @ 1 kg per hectare after 5 to 6 weeks of sowing.

Harvesting

The crop should be harvested at boot leaf stage or immediately after few plants have flowered. The harvesting should not be delayed beyond 50% flowering as crude protein decreases and crude fibre increases. In multi cut management, first cut is taken at boot leaf stage and subsequently at the interval of 35 to 40 days.