Common Name- Bajra.
\nBotanical Name- Pennisetum glaucum.
\nFamily- Gramineae.
\nChromosome Number: 2n = 20.<\/p>\n
Introduction
\n\u2022 Bajra is popularly known as \u201cpearl millet\u201d.
\n\u2022 It was originated from India and Africa.
\n\u2022 It is largely grown in India in an area of 10m.ha, with production of 7.9 million tones with productivity of 791 kg\/ha.
\n\u2022 It is a coarse grain crop and is considered as the staple food crop of almost 100 million people in rural areas. It is also used as fodder in Asia and Africa.
\n\u2022 It is rich in Protein (12.6%), Fiber (1.2%), Fat (5%), Carbohydrate (60-70%).<\/p>\n
Location
\n\u2022 The major producing state is Rajasthan followed by Maharashtra, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.
\n\u2022 The highest yielding state is Tamil Nadu.<\/p>\n
Local Names
\nIt is often known by different names in different languages like Pearl Millet (English), Bajra (Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi), Sajje (Kannada), Kambu (Tamil), Kambam (Malyalam), Sajjalu (Telugu), Bajri (Rajasthan, Gujarati, Marathi).<\/p>\n
Health Benefits
\n\u2022 Bajra is a good source of energy and good for heart health.
\n\u2022 Bajra helps in reducing weight and digestion disorders.
\n\u2022 Bajra is good for diabetics as it controls blood sugar and it may help in preventing cancer.<\/p>\n
Season
\n\u2022 It is grown during summer season in the month of February-May in parts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.
\n\u2022 It is also grown post rainy season also known as Rabi season in the month of November-February at a small scale in Gujarat and Maharashtra.<\/p>\n
Climate
\n\u2022 It grows best in warm and dry conditions.
\n\u2022 It is a drought tolerant crop which requires low annual rainfall of 40cm-60cm.
\n\u2022 Optimum temperature for its cultivation is 20\u00b0c-30\u00b0c.
\n\u2022 During its vegetable growth, moist weather is very beneficial.
\n\u2022 Bajra is grown as Kharif crop in North India and in southern parts it is known as Summer crop under irrigation.<\/p>\n
Soil Requirement
\n\u2022 It is grown in wide variety of soil.
\n\u2022 It grows best in black cotton soil, sandy loam soil which has good drainage system.
\n\u2022 Acidic and water logging soil is not preferred.
\n\u2022 The crop grows well in soil with low pH range.
\n\u2022 It is sensitive to acidic soil.<\/p>\n
Land Preparation
\n\u2022 The field should be finely tilled by 2-3 harrowing followed by a plowing.
\n\u2022 Weeds should be destroyed if any during the land preparation.<\/p>\n
Sowing Time
\nIn India, it is grown in three seasons
\n1. Kharif: June-October(rainfed)
\n2. Winter: November-February(rainfed)
\n3. Summer: March-June
\n\u2022 It is grown in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Punjab and Gujarat during summer as an irrigated crop.
\n\u2022 Sowing should be done with onset of monsoon i.e. first fortnight of July in North and central parts of the country.
\n\u2022 To obtain higher production of summer pearl, it should be sown in the last week of January to 1st week of February.
\n\u2022 For rabi season, first fortnight of October is appropriate in Tamil Nadu.
\n\u2022 The optimum time to sow Bajra is middle to last week of July.<\/p>\n
Seed Rate
\n\u2022 For dibbling method seed rate should be 3-3.5kg\/ha.
\n\u2022 For drilling method seed rate should be 4-5kg\/ha.<\/p>\n
Spacing
\n\u2022 Row spacing of 40-45cm should be maintained.
\n\u2022 Plant to Plant spacing of 10-12cm should be maintained.
\n\u2022 Depth should be 2-3 cm.<\/p>\n
Manures & Fertilizers
\n\u2022 If one is cultivating commercial hybrid Bajra, even Bajra needs few nutrients.
\n\u2022 Application of 10-15 tonnes of compost or farm yard manure per hectare is required for requirement of fertilizer of local varieties of Pearl millet.
\n\u2022 For maximum profit on the basis of soil test value, fertilizer should be given.
\n\u2022 Almost 3-5cm below the seed, half dose of nitrogen and full doses of phosphorus and potassium should be applied.
\n\u2022 Foliar spray of 3% urea is also recommended in barani conditions.<\/p>\n
Plant protection measures
\na) Insect pests: Stem bores and grasshoppers are serious pests of bajra controlled by two sprayings with 2 litres ofEldrin 20 c.c and grasshoppers may be controlled by dusting the crop with BHC 5 percent.
\nb)Diseases:
\n-Downy mildew: for controlling this disease seed treatment with fungicide like Dithane Z-78 or M-45 @2.0kg\/lin800-1000lit.ofwater.
\n-Smut: Treatment with Ceresan or Thirum @ 1-2 g\/kg seeds is effective.
\n-Ergot: Seed treatment with 20% common salt solution followed by washing with fresh water and then treating with Ceresan or Thirum @ 1-2 g\/kg seeds is effective<\/p>\n
Water Management
\n\u2022 As discussed earlier the quality of water is poor and quantity is scare on one hand side by side undulating topography, high water permeability on other hand are major constraints.
\n\u2022 The ground water table is very deep on one side and its poor quality (Brackish) on the other side also multiply the constraints. The possible solution is frequent but light irrigation by sprinkler system for irrigated farmers or irrigation as
\nlifesaving from adjoin farmer or water from water harvesting structure.<\/p>\n
Weed Management
\n\u2022 Spray a pre-emergent herbicide at recommended dose to minimize weeds (Andrews et al. 1993).
\n\u2022 Inter-cultivate 15\u201320 days and 30\u201335 days after sowing and put earth around the base of plants after 35\u201340 days to minimize lodging.
\n\u2022 Depending on number of weeds, hand weed once or twice.
\n\u2022 Weed control is critical around 25\u201330 days after sowing.<\/p>\n
Harvesting
\n\u2022 When grains become hardy and also contain moisture, the crop is ready to harvest.
\n\u2022 Cutting earhead or cutting entire plants by sticks are 2 methods that can be followed in harvesting.
\n\u2022 For 4-5 days in the sun stalk the cut plants for drying grains.
\n\u2022 By beating the earheads, grains can be separated.
\nPost Harvest Technology
\nBajra also known as cumbu, pearl millet is the predominant crop in India. It has the same quantity of protein as wheat. The protein contains a high proportion of prolamine followed by the globulin and albumins. Pearling of bajra to about 8% polish leaves most of the germs intact and the nutritive value is not seriously affected. Pearling improves appearance and taste of the products. The grain is sometimes eaten after it is parched, the product being similar to popcorn. The grain is also suitable for the preparation of malt. It is consumed after dehusking and cooked in the same way as rice. More commonly
\nit is ground into flour and made into chappathi. It is also made into thin porridge.<\/p>\n
Yield
\n\u2022 Grain-23-35 q\/ha, Fodder-100-120 q\/ha, Under Irrigated condition.
\n\u2022 Grain-12-15 q\/ha, Fodder-70-75 q\/ha, Under rainfed condition.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Common Name- Bajra. Botanical Name- Pennisetum glaucum. Family- Gramineae. Chromosome Number: 2n = 20. Introduction \u2022 Bajra is popularly known as \u201cpearl millet\u201d. \u2022 It was originated from India and Africa. \u2022 It is largely grown in India in an area of 10m.ha, with production of 7.9 million tones with productivity of 791 kg\/ha. \u2022 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":414,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aasblogs.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/415"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aasblogs.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aasblogs.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aasblogs.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aasblogs.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=415"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/aasblogs.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/415\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aasblogs.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/414"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aasblogs.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=415"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aasblogs.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=415"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aasblogs.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=415"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}