Origin
Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is believed to have originated in the Sahel region of West Africa. It has been cultivated in India for over 4,000 years and plays a vital role in dryland agriculture.
Geographical Distribution in India
Major states growing pearl millet include Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Rajasthan alone contributes nearly 40% to the total production in India.
Economic Importance
Pearl millet is a staple food in arid and semi-arid regions. It is highly nutritious, rich in iron, protein, and fiber, and also used for fodder and silage. It offers resilience against drought and is thus a reliable crop in marginal lands.
Soil and Climatic Requirements
It thrives in well-drained loamy to sandy soils with a pH of 6.0–7.5. Pearl millet is highly tolerant to drought and heat, making it suitable for dry regions with low rainfall (300–500 mm).
Land Preparation
One or two deep ploughings followed by harrowing are done to obtain a fine tilth. The land should be free from weeds and stubbles of previous crops.
Varieties Developed in India
- HHB 67 Improved
- HHB 226
- RHB 173
- Raj 171
- ICMH 356
- NBH 5430
Seed Requirement
For line sowing: 4–5 kg/ha. For broadcasting: 8–10 kg/ha. Seed should be treated with fungicides before sowing to prevent seed-borne diseases.
Sowing Time
- **Kharif Season:** June to July (with onset of monsoon).
- **Summer and Rabi Crop:** In southern India, Rabi crop is sown in October–November.
Method of Sowing
Sowing is generally done in rows spaced 45 cm apart with 10–15 cm spacing between plants. Depth of sowing should be around 2–3 cm.
Cropping Systems
Common cropping systems include:
- Pearl millet + legumes (cowpea, pigeon pea)
- Rotation with mustard, chickpea, wheat
Fertilizer Requirements
Apply 60–80 kg N, 30–40 kg P2O5, and 20 kg K2O per hectare. Half the nitrogen and all phosphorus and potassium are applied as basal dose, and the rest nitrogen is applied at 30 DAS.
Water Requirements
Pearl millet is generally rainfed. In irrigated conditions, 2–3 irrigations may be required, especially at critical stages like flowering and grain filling.
Weed Management
Weeding should be done 2–3 times within the first 30–40 days. Use of pre-emergence herbicides like Atrazine (0.5 kg a.i./ha) helps in weed control. Intercultural operations like hoeing and earthing-up are beneficial.
Diseases and Management
- Downy Mildew: Resistant varieties, seed treatment with Metalaxyl, crop rotation
- Ergot: Use clean seeds, spray fungicides (Mancozeb)
- Smut: Seed treatment, destroy affected ear heads
Insect Pests and Management
- Shoot fly: Sow timely, use systemic insecticides like Imidacloprid
- Stem borer: Spray with Carbaryl or Chlorpyrifos
Harvesting and Threshing
Crop is ready for harvest in 80–95 days. Harvest when grains are hard and moisture is below 20%. After cutting, the ear heads are dried, and threshing is done manually or using a thresher.
Yield
- Rainfed: 15–25 quintals/ha
- Irrigated: 30–40 quintals/ha
Post-Harvest Operations
Grains should be properly dried (to 12% moisture) and stored in airtight containers or gunny bags. For long-term storage, use insecticides or neem leaves to avoid pest infestation.
