Bajra
Bajra
Gramineae
Pennisetum ammericanum
Hybrids
Shradha (RHRBH- 8609 ), Saburi (RHRBH- 8924), and Shanti (RHRBH- 9808)
Improved varieites
ICTP 8203, Samruddhi, ICMV -155, ICMS 7703, ICMS 7704 and RHR-1
Bajra crop is suitable for Kharif season. This crop also cultivated in summer
season where irrigation facility available.
Sowing should adjusted in such a way that there should not be rains during
flowering and ripening period. If ther is heavy rains during these stages washing
away of pollens grainsdue to that pollen seeting is not possible and at the time of
maturity sprouting of grains occurs. If climate is cludy and during ripening period
these might heavy incidence of downy mildew disease.
Pearl millet is cultivated on different kinds of soil ranging from sandy to black
cotton soils. Loamy sands and loamy soils are ideal for bajra cultivation. However
heavy soils are not suitable for bajra cultivation. Ph of soil 6.2 to 8. Bajra gives
fairly good yields even on poor soils where other crops cant grow very well.
The seed of bajra is very small in size hence fine and compact seed bed is required should be free from clods. One shallow ploughing is required upto depth of 10-15 cm. Before sowing of seed of bajra clod crushing and collection of stables are necessary followed by 2-3 harrowings.
i) Seed treated with 20% brine solution . dissolve 2 kg common salt in 10 lit of water. Deep the seed in brine solution for 2-3 minutes. The light and disease affected seed floating on surface of water are removed. The clear seed at bottom are collected and washed with normal water and dry under shed for control of ergot disease. Seed treated with Metalaxyl (APRON) @ 6 gm per kg of seed to control downy mildew (green ear) disease
ii) Seed treated with Metalaxyl (APRON) @ 6 gm per kg of seed to control downy mildew (green ear) disease.
iii) Seed treated with biofertilizer azospirillam @ 250 gm per 10 kg of seed to enhance N 2 fixation.
-
Methods of sowing- Ridges and furrows or Flat bed Sowing of seed of bajra by using seed drill as well as by dibbling seed on ridges and furrow or flat bed.
1) Kharif season -15 th June to 15 th July
2) Summer season – In the month of February
(Row x Plant)
Irrigated – Row to row 30 cm plant to plant 15 cm distance
Dry land – Row to row 45cm plant to plant 15 cm distance
optimum 1.50 lakh seedling /ha
(kg/ha)- Improved varieties- 3-4 kg/ha
Hybrids - 1.5 kg/ha
Post Sowing Operations
i) Two hoeings are required at 10-15 days interval,
ii) Two – three hand weedings are necessary
iii) Pre emergence spray of Atrazine @ 0.5 -1 kg /ha dissolve in 500 lit of water.
Thinning- For maintaining optimum plant population thinning operation should
be twice , 1 st thinning 10 days after sowing and 2 nd thinning 20 days after sowing.
During thinning operation insect disease affected weak and unhealthy excess
plants should be removed and keeping only one healthy plant per hill. The excess
plants from crowded places removed and transplanted where gaps are observed.
1) Apply FYM 5 t/ha. before last harrowing and well mix with soil
2) If soil is light then apply NPK 40:20:20 kg/ha.
3) If soil is heavy apply NPK 50: 25:25 kg/ha.
Split N dose in two doses of 25 kg at sowing and at 25-30 days after sowing.
In dry land condition apply 50:25:25 kg/ha NPK full dose at sowing.
Time of Irrigation-
1) Tillering stage = 20-25 days after sowing.
2) Flag leaf and flowering stage = 35-45 days after sowing.
3) Grain filling = 60-65 days after sowing.
i) Two hoeings are required at 10-15 days interval.
ii) Two – three hand weedings are necessary.
iii) Pre emergence spray of Atrazine @ 0.5 -1 kg /ha dissolve in 500 lit. of water
Downey Mildew
i) Use resistant varieties
ii) Seed treated with metalaxil 0.4%
iii) Spraying Copper Oxychloride @ 1 kg in 500 lit of water after 14 DAS.
Ergot
i) Seed treatment with 20% brine solution.
ii) Spraying thirum @ 0.1-0.15 % a.i. two times .
Blister beetel
Dusting of methyl parathion 2% 20 kg /ha.
Stem fly- Use 14 ml /10 lit endosulphan spraying.
Army worm- Use Methyl parathion 2% 20 kg/ha dusting.
i) 3 ½ months after sowing done by cutting plant at groundlevel and allow to dry in field for 3-4 days. After that cutting the earhead and drying in sunlight for 3-4 days.
ii) Cutting the earhead from plant at the time of maturity.
Threshing may be done by using mechanical thresher. Cleaning by winnowing and drying the grains 3-4 days in sunlight.
Hybrids 25=30 Qtls/ha,
Improved varieties 20-22 Qtls/ha
Storage bins, Gunny bags and Polythene bags
It is used for preparing Khakara, Rotala, Bajara Flour, Papadi, Mathari etc.
1) Next to sorghum bajra is used as major stable foodgrain. About 10% population of
our country consumes bajra in daily
2) It ranks in 5 th position after Wheat, Rice, Maize and Sorghum.
3) Grown for fodder purpose.
4) Grains contains 11.6 % Protein, 67.1 % Carbohydrated 5% fat, 1.2% Ash and 2.7%
minerals
5) Mostly grown in Rajasthan (dry areas).
1) Processing and Packaging
2) Major production areas in India= Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat
In Maharashtra Ahmednagar, Nashik, Dhule, Jalgaon, Pune, Satar, Nandurbar
3) Major Markets in India= Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat
In Maharashtra Pune, Nashik, Mumbai, thane, Satar, Ahmednagar, Dhule, Jalgaon
4) Export opportunity
