Pearl Millet Production Plan by GROWTECH
Bajra or pearl millet is a widely grown millet in the world. Along with human consumption, it is used for fodder purposes, its stalks are used to feed animals. Pearl Millet is an important coarse grain crop in Pakistan, especially in areas where drought is common, despite its economic importance, this crop has received little attention compared with wheat, rice and maize. It is grown almost in all provinces but particularly in districts: Gujrat, Gujranwala, Chakwal, Mianwali, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Rawalpindi, Attock and Jhelum in Punjab; Hyderabad, Khairpur, Dadu, Nawabshah and Sanghar in Sindh; Lorali, Khuzdar and Sibbi in Balochistan; and Bunnu, Karak, D.I.Khan in KP.
Land Preparation and Sowing Method
Land Preparation:
Sowing should be done in well-prepared soil to get good yield. To bring the soil to fine tilth, 2-3 ploughings should be done followed by planking. This crop can be grown on wide range of soils except saline and waterlogged soils. However, loamy soil is most suitable for cultivation where the drainage system is good. A smooth soil surface is essential for good crop production. For cultivation, plow the land two to three times and prepare it well by leveling it.
Method of sowing:
For millet sowing broadcast is very common but use drilling method for better production.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Sowing Time |
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| Seed Rate |
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| Sowing Depth |
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| Spacing |
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Approved Varieties of Pearl Millet
Use healthy seed of improved & certified varieties of Millet
| Varieties | Importance |
|---|---|
| Sargodha Millet-2020 |
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| Sargodha Millet-2011 |
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| MB-87 |
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Fertilizer Management
GROWTECH recommends crop-specific fertilizer application based upon the soil available carbon, nitrogen and fertility status in balanced amount to achieve better crop growth and 15-20% higher yield.
Following are the recommendations for average fertile soils.
| Primary Nutrients kg / acre | Chemical Fertilizer Bags /acre | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crop Condition | Nitrogen | Phosphorus | Potassium | Sowing Time | 1st Irrigation |
| Single Cut Variety | 32 | 23 | 12.5 | 1 bag DAP + half bag SOP | 1 bag UREA |
| Multi Cut Variety | 20 | 23 | 12.5 | 1 bag DAP + half bag SOP | 1 bag UREA |
Note: For multi cut varieties use recommended amount of nitrogen after every harvest.
Weeds Management
Commonly damaging weeds in pearl millet cultivation are Itsit, Tandla, and Madhana grass. It is recommended to use a weedicide with the first irrigation. For chemical weed control, spray Pendimethalin @ 600-800 ml or Atrazine 38 SC @350 ml per acre in 120 liters of water within 24 hours of sowing.
Insect/ pest and their Management
1. Termites:
Termites cause discoloration of plants and stunted growth, ultimately leading to yellowing of the leaves and wilting of the plants.
Chemical control:
Fipronil 5% SC @ 960 ml flood/ acre OR Chlorpyrifos 40 EC @ 2liter flood/ acre.
2. Shoot Fly:
In the initial stage of the crop, there is a shoot fly attack. The maggots damage the stem and cause wilting of the plant, which is commonly referred to as dead heart.
Chemical Control:
- Chlothenadin 20% SC @ 200-300 ml/ acre.
- Emamactin 2% + Carbosulfan 23% @ 200 ml/acre.
- Bifenthrin 10 percent EC@ 330 ml/ acre
3. Stem Borer:
The larvae of stem borers feed on plant leaves and cause internal damage to the stem, which affects the plant's food and water supply. This ultimately leads to the drying of the plant.
Chemical Control:
Fipronil 5% SC @ 960 ml flood/ acre OR Chlorpyrifos 40 EC @ 2liter flood/ acre.
4. Air Head Bug:
Adults and young suck the sap from the grains in the milky stage, causing the attacked grains to shrink and turn black in color.
Chemical Control:
Chlothenadin 20% SC @ 200-300 ml / acre OR Bifenthrin 10% SC@ 330 ml / acre.
5. Shoot Bug:
Adults and young suck the sap from the leaves, cause stunted growth, ultimately leading to yellowing of the leaves.
Chemical Control:
Chlothenadin 20% SC@ 200-300 ml / acre OR Bifenthrin 10% SC @ 330 ml / acre.
6. Aphids:
They suck the sap from the plants and excrete a sweet substance, which initiates growth of sooty mold fungus on the leaves and stems.
Chemical Control:
Acetamiprid 20% SP@ 125- 150 g/acre OR Carbosulfan 23% + Emamactin 2%@ 200 ml /acre.
Diseases and their Management
1. Downy mildew:
In severe infestation, white growth appears on both upper and lower side of leaves. Ear head is transformed into leafy structure.
Chemical control:
Take spray of Propynab 70 % WP @ 500 gram /acre.
2. Rust:
Reddish brown to reddish orange spots are developed on foliage.
Chemical control:
Azoxystrobin 20% + Tebuconazole 30% SC @ 100 ml spray/acre OR Sulfur 45% Triadimephane 5% SC @ 400 ml spray/ acre.
3. Millet leaf spot:
Reddish brown to reddish orange spots are developed on foliage.
Chemical control:
Copper Oxychloride + Kasogamicin 47% WP @ 250gram spray / acre.
4. Ergot:
Honeydew like substance is secretes on earheads. After 10-15days these droplet dry and turn into dark brown to black color. Seeds are replaced with black color fungus.
Chemical control:
As a preventive measure, apply chemical spray of Mancozeb 2 gm/L of water at time of ear head formation. Repeat application of spray with interval of 3 days.
Harvesting
The millet crop for fodder is ready for harvest in the month of August. When 50% of the flowers appear, the crop biomass attains maximum of its nutrients, so it is the best time to harvest it for fodder purpose. Since this fodder does not contain any toxic substance, it can be fed to animals at any time. In rainfed areas, the yield of green fodder crop is estimated up to 200 to 250 mounds per acre, while in irrigated areas, it can be as high as 500 to 600 mounds per acre. The seed-producing crop yields 10 to 15 mounds of seeds per acre.
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