This document provides information about pearl millet cultivation. It discusses the botanical details of pearl millet, its origin and distribution. It notes that India is the largest producer of pearl millet, with production of 8-9 million tons annually from an area of 9-10 million hectares. Ideal soil conditions and climate for pearl millet cultivation are described. Recommended varieties for different regions are listed, along with details on seed rate, spacing, sowing time, nutrient management, irrigation, pest and disease management, and expected yields.

1. AGR 203 AGRONOMY OF FIELD CROPS -1 (1+1)
COURSE TEACHER : Dr.M.R.NANDHAKUMAR
BY
M.ARAVIND
2015032002

2. Pearl Millet
• Botanical Name : Pennisetum glaucum
• Family : Poaceae
• Origin : Western Africa
• Distribution : Pearl millet is cultivated mostly in Africa
(about 14 million ha) and Asia (about 12 million ha).

3. Pearl millet Area in India
• India is the largest producer of pearl millet.
• Area (9–10 million ha)
• Production (8-9 million t)
• Average productivity of 780 kg/ha.
• Summer pearl millet is popular in Gujarat with very
high yield exceeding 4–5 t/ha with excellent grain
quality.

4. Soil and Climate
• Soil : well-drained loamy soils.
(Pearl millet not grow well in waterlogged conditions)
• Temperature : 30–34°C.
• Germination : 28 to 32°C.
• rainfall requirement : 400 and 750 mm.

5. Tamilnadu varieties
• X 6, X 7, CO 7, WCC 75(World Cumbu Composite)
• COH 8, K 3
• CO 9 is a good fodder variety . Its combination with CO 5
cowpea
Some identified varieties for north
• Pusa 23 (MH 169), Pusa 322, ICMH 451, ICHM 356
• HHB 60, 67, 68, 50
• RHB 30, 90
• MH 605 (Pusa 605), MH 790, MH 782

6. Seed rate :
General : 6-8 kg/ha
black soil : 3 Kg/ha under high water retentive capacity
Spacing:
:30x10 cm or 60 X 10 cm
Sowing time :
• Kharif : June-July
• Rabi : September-October
• Summer : January-February
(as an irrigated crop in TN ,KN,PB,GJ, AP)

7. Nutrient Management
• Grain yield of pearl millet and nutrient requirement
Irrigated
• Hybrids : 80:40:40
• Varieties : 70:35:35
Rainfed
• Low rainfall : 40:30:30
• Moderate to high : 60-80:40:40

8. Scheduling Irrigation :
Summer irrigated Pearl millet require six irrigation for
high yields at given stages.
 Transplanting
 1 week after transplanting
 3 week after transplanting
 Panicle initiation
 Flowering
 Grain development

9. Chemical control :
Pre-emergence application :
• It applied after sowing but before emergence of seedling.
• Atrazine 0.25 kg
• Pendimethalin if intercropped with pulses
Post-emergence application :
• In case of severe infestation.
• Low rates of 2,4-D (0.5-1.0 kg/ha) may be applied when
the plants are about 10 to 30 cm tall.

10. INTERCROPPING SYSTEM:
• In Tamil Nadu : Pearl millet + cowpea / sunflower
Pest and disease management:
Important pests:
• shoot fly , stem borer , grass hopper .
Diseases:
• Ergot and Downy mildew
Disease management:
•Seed treated with Metalaxyl @ 6 g/kg to control downy mildew

11. Grain yield
 Irrigated 3.0 to 3.5 t/ha or 25 to 35 quintal/ha
 Rainfed 1.2 to 1.5t/ha or 12 to 16 quintal/ha
Price of cumbu :
Rs.40/kg
Cost of cultivation: