Standardization of Pellet size for Mechanized Sowing in Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica)

Rajeshwari M,Ravikesavan R,Renganayaki P.R,Vanitha C

doi:10.29321/maj.2020.000370

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at Department of Seed Science andTechnology, Coimbatore during 2019-20 to standardize the pellet size formechanized sowing in foxtail millet. The seeds of foxtail millet (Setariaitalica) were circumscribed by small amount of filler materials and adhesiveto produce a globular unit of size and also supply nutrient to the plant.Pellet size in terms of seed size has been standardized by using TNAUpelleting powder as filler material and gum acacia as adhesive to suite therequirement of air assisted seed drill for precision sowing with minimumseed rate. Results showed that the pellet size of 3.1 mm was found to beoptimum for mechanized sowing with seed drill and 11 layers of coating withfiller material increases the seed size from 0.8 to 3.1mm. The seeds coatedto 11 layers have recorded maximum germination (87%), root length(12.7cm), shoot length (6.3 cm),vigour index (1656) with high speed of germination(6.5 ) at laboratory condition.

Highlights

Millets plays a major role in food security and human nutrition by providing minerals and vitamins
The experiment was conducted at Department of Seed Science and Technology, Coimbatore during 2019-20 to standardize the pellet size for mechanized sowing in foxtail millet
The seeds of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) were circumscribed by small amount of filler materials and adhesive to produce a globular unit of size and supply nutrient to the plant

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Millets plays a major role in food security and human nutrition by providing minerals and vitamins. Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) is one of the important millet mostly cultivated in arid and semi arid regions of Asia and other parts of the world. It is rich in thiamine, calcium, dietary fiber and low in fat. The main problem in millets is their seed size; because of small size, a large quantity of seeds are being wasted during sowing and needs a substantial number of labourers for sowing and thining. These problems can be addressed by mechanical sowing using seed drills. The pelleting material serves as an appropriate carrier for biofeertilizers, insecticides, fungicides

MATERIAL AND METHODS

METHODS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION