Millet Production Research Articles

Heterosis and combining abilities in a diverse seven-parent pearl millet population diallel tested in West Africa

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is an important food-security crop to smallholder farmers in West Africa (WA). Breeding for high yield and stability is a major challenge in the harsh environments of WA but could be tackled by a more systematic exploitation of hybrid vigor and heterosis in breeding of both open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) and different types of hybrids. Knowledge of combining ability patterns and quantitative-genetic parameters is required for an efficient development of hybrid vigor and heterosis in breeding programs. Hence, our objectives were to complement other existing studies and estimate the combining ability of seven unique, highly diverse Sahelian pearl millet populations from Senegal, Mali, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Sudan and Nigeria and the heterosis and stability of their 42 diallel-derived population hybrids (or hybrid populations) to inform pearl millet OPV and hybrid breeding. The materials were evaluated in six environments in WA in 2007. Grain yield (GY) exhibited an average panmictic mid-parent heterosis of 24%, ranging from − 1.51 to 64.69%. General combining ability (GCA) was significant across test environments as reflected by high heritability estimates and high GCA:SCA variance ratios. Thus, early selection for parental per se performance would be rewarding. The parental population from Sudan (IP8679) had strongly negative GCA for GY. Its lack of adaptation contributed to the predominance of additive effects in the present germplasm set. Parental populations PE02987 (Senegal), PE05344 (Mali) and ICMV IS 92222 (Niger) showed large positive GCA for GY. Their offspring, especially PE02987 × PE05344 and Kapelga × ICMV IS 92222, exhibited a high and stable GY across all test environments. Tapping the regional pearl millet genetic diversity and preselecting the crossing parents seem beneficial for OPV and hybrid breeding to increase pearl millet productivity in WA.

Pre-scaling up of improved finger millet (Kako-1) variety, at Weyira district, under Halaba zone in Ethiopian

Pre-scaling up of improved finger millet variety (kako-1) was conducted in 2019/20 mehere season in Halaba Zone, two selected kebeles under Weyira District,southern Ethiopia under rain fed conditions through involvement of farmers in participatory demonstration. The demonstration was carried out with the specific objectives:to popularize and demonstrate improved Finger millet technology (Kako-1) and to collect farmers feedback on improved finger millet variety. The demonstration was conducted at layignawu Badana and kufe kebele on farmers field of Weyira Districts on 10ha land coverage totally 20 beneficiary farmers field .Site and beneficiary farmers selection criteria were conducted purposively by cooperating with woreda and kebele extension personnel by willingness to accept technology, land availability and accessibility of the area. Training was given by focusing on agronomic practices and awareness creation for all selected beneficiary farmers and concerned extension personnel. Also, all necessary inputs (10kg/h kako-1 seed,100kg/h NPSB and 150 kg /h Urea) were provided from Hawassa agricultural research center.Yield and farmers feedback data were collected and analyzed by using descriptive statistics applying on SPSS software Accordingly, 2.7 tone/ha average mean grain yield was obtained. According to farmers’ feedback, the variety kako-1 has high tilling capacity, high grain yield, early maturity, high biomass yield and quality Therefore the variety need to extended to wide area.So, all concerned bodies need to work to facilitation of further extension of kako-1 variety for Halaba zone and other similar agro-ecological zones to improve finger millet production and productivity of smallholder farmers.

Efficacy of Nutrient Management Options for Finger Millet Production on Degraded Smallholder Farms in Eastern Uganda

Poor soil fertility is a major problem constraining crop productivity in smallholder farms of sub-Saharan Africa due to inadequate nutrient replenishment. Differential management of nutrients creates areas of accumulation and depletion of nutrients within farms with the latter increasing in spatial coverage. Nutrient additions are required to increase crop production in such degraded areas. We used experimental data to evaluate the potential of inorganic fertilizers and organic manures to offset finger millet yield differences or gap between degraded fields and former kraals, which are recognized as niches for obtaining the best yields within the Teso farming system in eastern Uganda. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers were sole applied at 0, 30, 60, and 90 kg ha−1 and in combination (N+P) at equal rates of sole application, and manure (3 t ha−1) supplemented with N (0, 30, 60, and 90 kg ha−1) to degraded fields located in upper and middle landscape positions in Chelekura and Onamudian villages. A second control treatment of finger millet grown on soils of former kraal sites (high fertility niches) was included as a benchmark to evaluate the efficacy of nutrient management options on degraded field. Average grain yield ranged from 404 to 2,026 kg ha−1 and differed significantly (p < 0.001) between villages and seasons. Significant effects (p < 0.05) of landscape position on grain yield were observed only in Onamudian village. Although the treatments significantly increased millet yields on degraded fields above the control, they could not eliminate the yield differences between degraded fields and former kraals. The largest average grain yields on degraded fields were obtained from combined application of N+P resulting in average grain yields of 800 and 1,171 kg ha−1 in Chelekura village and Onamudian village, respectively. These yield responses resulted in only 24 and 43% of yields obtained on former kraal fields in Chelekura and Onamudian, respectively. The physiological efficiencies, agronomic efficiencies, and apparent recoveries of N and P were low; often <25%. Pot experiments conducted in a greenhouse showed that Sulphur (S) and potassium (K) were additional limiting nutrients to N and P for finger millet production in Chelekura and Onamudian and may partly explain the large yield differences of finger millet between fertilized fields and former kraals in the smallholder farming systems. Nutrient management strategies for sustainable millet production in these farming systems need consideration of site-specific nutrient limitations.

The impact of sowing time and plant spacing on growth and productivity of pearl millet under semi-arid environment growth and productivity of pearl millet under semi-arid environment

Optimum sowing time and plant density in terms of plant spacing are the most important management options to get higher yield of any crop. To optimize planting time and plant spacing for better growth and yield of pearl millet, a field study was conducted to study the impact of sowing time and plant spacing on growth and productivity of pearl millet under semi-arid environment. The study comprised of two sowing dates, i.e. June-20- 2015 and July-06-2015 with three planting densities (10 cm spacing, 15 cm spacing and 20 cm plant to plant spacing). Randomized complete block design with split plot arrangements was used by keeping sowing dates in main plots and planting densities in subplots. The millet hybrid 86M86 was sown with help of single row hand drill and row to row distance was 45 cm. All agronomic practices were kept normal and uniform for all treatments under study. It was observed that grain weight per panicle, panicle length, panicle girth, 1000-grain weight (g), grain yield (t ha-1) and biological yield (t ha-1) increased in sowing time 20-June-2015 with 15 cm plant to plant distance. The maximum value of these parameters was observed in sowing time 20-June-2015 with 15 cm plant spacing.

Effect of Selected Weed Management Practices on the Growth and Yield Components of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) in Western Region of Kenya

Finger millet (Elusine coracana) accounts for 8% of the total area and 11% of the millet production worldwide. It is grown on over 4 million ha globally, mainly for food purposes. Millions of people in the dry lands of Central and East Africa, and South of India depend on finger millet as an important source of food to them (CGIAR, 2001). Finger millet is one of the most neglected and underutilized crops. Additionally, the crop has received limited research attention compared to wheat, rice, and maize (FAO, 2011). Therefore, production challenges such as those caused by weeds like goose grass Elusine indica remain at large. Manual weeding is the commonly employed weed control method in finger millet production, but is expensive and labour intensive. The current study was set to evaluate the influence of weed management practices on finger millet growth and yield components. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. The plots measured 2 by 2m with a border width of 1m. The treatments included Pendimethalin, Dimethyl amine, Metolachlor, Metribuzin, Atrazine (at three rates each 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 l/ha), No weeding and Hand weeding. Data was collected on the number of weed species, weed biomass, number of basal tillers, herbicide phytotoxicity, weed and crop heights, number of panicles, weight of panicles, weight of un-threshed and threshed grains and 1000 grain weight. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA using GenStat version 15.1. Application of Pendimethalin at 1.5 and 2.0 L/ha Active Ingredient (AI), resulted in weed optimal control and least phytotoxicity. Results also indicated that the height of finger millet was significantly (p<0.001) higher where the herbicides were applied. Lower weed biomass was also positively correlated with higher crop height, more panicles, high unthreshed and threshed weights and a 1000 grain weight. Application of 2,4D at rates of 1.5L and 2.0L resulted in significantly taller plants 33.00 cm, than the other weed management methods. Finger millet under Pendimethalin 1.5 L gave the highest number of 86 panicles while Atrazine 2.0L and Pendimethalin1.5L methods of weed control, had significantly higher weight compared to all the other treatments. The 1000 seed mass across the treatments averaged 2.31 g while the on the untreated treatments had an average of 1.54 g. Weed control using pre emergence herbicides significantly (p<0.001) increased the yields of finger millet.

A Review of Recent Advances and Future Directions in the Management of Salinity Stress in Finger Millet.

Salinity stress is a major environmental impediment affecting the growth and production of crops. Finger millet is an important cereal grown in many arid and semi-arid areas of the world characterized by erratic rainfall and scarcity of good-quality water. Finger millet salinity stress is caused by the accumulation of soluble salts due to irrigation without a proper drainage system, coupled with the underlying rocks having a high salt content, which leads to the salinization of arable land. This problem is projected to be exacerbated by climate change. The use of new and efficient strategies that provide stable salinity tolerance across a wide range of environments can guarantee sustainable production of finger millet in the future. In this review, we analyze the strategies that have been used for salinity stress management in finger millet production and discuss potential future directions toward the development of salt-tolerant finger millet varieties. This review also describes how advanced biotechnological tools are being used to develop salt-tolerant plants. The biotechnological techniques discussed in this review are simple to implement, have design flexibility, low cost, and highly efficient. This information provides insights into enhancing finger millet salinity tolerance and improving production.

Performance of Millets in Bundelkhand Region of UP State

Time series data on area, production and productivity of major millets (2000-01 to 2019- 20) was analyzed for Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh state. Sorghum was the most important millet crop that accounted for highest area (36.6%) and (34%) of total millet area and production in UP state, respectively. Chitrakoot district contributed highest area (31.6%) under millets. Among all the millets, pearl millet recorded highest growth rate in area (0.97%), production (3.57%) and productivity (1.59%) with low instability index for area. The overall area and production of millet crops recorded decline in all the seven districts of Bundelkhand region during overall study period (2000-20). Lalitpur district recorded highest decline in area (-22.02%), followed by Chitrakoot (-10.82%) and Jhansi district (- 10.63%) during overall study period, while during the same period Banda district recorded a growth in area (1.16%) and production (4.77 %) of pearl millet. The overall area, production and productivity of millets registered a decline in Bundelkhand region during 2000-20. This calls for aggressive promotional activities for enhancing millets production in the region.

Pearl Millet: A Climate-Resilient Nutricereal for Mitigating Hidden Hunger and Provide Nutritional Security.

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is the sixth most important cereal crop after rice, wheat, maize, barley and sorghum. It is widely grown on 30 million ha in the arid and semi-arid tropical regions of Asia and Africa, accounting for almost half of the global millet production. Climate change affects crop production by directly influencing biophysical factors such as plant and animal growth along with the various areas associated with food processing and distribution. Assessment of the effects of global climate changes on agriculture can be helpful to anticipate and adapt farming to maximize the agricultural production more effectively. Pearl millet being a climate-resilient crop is important to minimize the adverse effects of climate change and has the potential to increase income and food security of farming communities in arid regions. Pearl millet has a deep root system and can survive in a wide range of ecological conditions under water scarcity. It has high photosynthetic efficiency with an excellent productivity and growth in low nutrient soil conditions and is less reliant on chemical fertilizers. These attributes have made it a crop of choice for cultivation in arid and semi-arid regions of the world; however, fewer efforts have been made to study the climate-resilient features of pearl millet in comparison to the other major cereals. Several hybrids and varieties of pearl millet were developed during the past 50 years in India by both the public and private sectors. Pearl millet is also nutritionally superior and rich in micronutrients such as iron and zinc and can mitigate malnutrition and hidden hunger. Inclusion of minimum standards for micronutrients—grain iron and zinc content in the cultivar release policy—is the first of its kind step taken in pearl millet anywhere in the world, which can lead toward enhanced food and nutritional security. The availability of high-quality whole-genome sequencing and re-sequencing information of several lines may aid genomic dissection of stress tolerance and provide a good opportunity to further exploit the nutritional and climate-resilient attributes of pearl millet. Hence, more efforts should be put into its genetic enhancement and improvement in inheritance to exploit it in a better way. Thus, pearl millet is the next-generation crop holding the potential of nutritional richness and the climate resilience and efforts must be targeted to develop nutritionally dense hybrids/varieties tolerant to drought using different omics approaches.

Can intercropping be an adaptation to drought? A model‐based analysis for pearl millet–cowpea

AbstractCereal–legume intercropping is promoted within semi‐arid regions as an adaptation strategy to water scarcity and drought for low‐input systems. Our objectives were firstly to evaluate the crop model APSIM for pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.))—cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) intercropping—and secondly to investigate the hypothesis that intercropping provides complimentary yield under drought conditions. The APSIM model was evaluated against data from a two year on station field experiment during the dry season of a semi‐arid environment in Patancheru, India, with severe, partial and no water deficit stress (well‐watered); densities of 17 and 33 plants per m−2, and intercrop and sole crop production of pearl millet and cowpea. Overall, APSIM captured the dynamics of grain yields, indicated by the Willmott Index of Agreement (IA: 1 optimal, 0 the worst) 0.91 from 36 data points (n), total biomass (IA: 0.90, n = 144), leaf area index (LAI, IA = 0.77, n = 66), plant height (IA 0.96, n = 104 pearl millet) and cowpea (IA 0.81, n = 102), as well as soil water (IA 0.73, n = 126). Model accuracy was reasonable in absolute terms (RMSE pearl millet 469 kg/ha and cowpea 322 kg/ha). However, due to low observed values (observed mean yield pearl millet 1,280 kg/ha and cowpea 555 kg/ha), the relative error was high, a known aspect for simulation accuracy in low‐yielding environments. The simulation experiment compared the effect of intercropping pearl millet and cowpea versus sole cropping under different plant densities and water supplies. A key finding was that intercropping pearl millet and cowpea resulted in similar total yields to the sole pearl millet. Both sole and intercrop systems responded strongly to increasing water supply, except sole cropped cowpea, which performed relatively better under low water supply. High plant density had a consistent effect, leading to lower yields under low water supply. Higher yields were achieved under high density, but only when water supply was high: absolute highest total intercrop yields were 4,000 (high density) and 3,500 kg/ha (low density). This confirms the suitability of the common practice among farmers who use the low planting density under water scarce conditions. Overall, this study confirms that intercropping is no silver bullet, i.e. not per se a way to achieve high yield production or reduce risk under drought. It does, however, provide an opportunity to diversify food production by additionally integrating protein rich crops, such as cowpea.

Effects of Cultivation Management on Pearl Millet Yield and Growth Differed with Rainfall Conditions in a Seasonal Wetland of Sub-Saharan Africa

The production of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) is important in Namibia, in sub-Saharan Africa, owing to the prevailing low precipitation conditions. Most fields supporting crop production in northern Namibia are located in a network of seasonal wetlands. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of ridging and fertilizer application on the yield and the growth of pearl millet in the seasonal wetlands under different rainfall conditions. The study was conducted for two years (2017–2018) in the experimental fields in northern Namibia, and yield, yield components, and growth parameters were evaluated in relation to the application of different fertilizers (manure and mineral) with and without ridge-furrows. Manure fertilizer application presented the highest yield in 2018, whereas mineral fertilizer application showed the highest yield in 2017. The proportion of rainfall was the highest during the mid-growth period in 2017, and the reproductive stage in 2018. Thus, pearl millet plants under manure fertilization overcame damage resulting from waterlogging stress during the seed setting stage by improving the soil and plant nutrient conditions. In contrast, the plants under mineral fertilization were more tolerant to large amounts of rain during the mid-growth period. In this study, yield was mainly determined by total dry weight, and it was closely related to panicle density in both years. Therefore, we concluded that fertilizer application, including additional fertilizer based on the growth diagnostic, could be important for improving crop production in seasonal wetlands.

Nutritional quality in response to elevated CO2 concentration in foxtail millet (Setaria italica)

Increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration may affect human health through its effects on crop production and nutrition. Foxtail millet, a nutritious C4 cereal, is superior to major cereals subjected to environmental stresses. The effects of elevated CO2 concentration (eCO2) on foxtail millet (Setaria italica) remain unclear. In this study, the yield and nutritional quality of foxtail millet were investigated under ambient [CO2] (approximately 400 μmol mol−1) or eCO2 (approximately 600 μmol mol−1) for 3 years by using open-top chambers (OTCs). The yield and biomass production of foxtail millet was significantly enhanced under eCO2. In addition, eCO2 significantly affected the concentration of protein and oil in grains, but it had no effect on starch concentration across the three years. Elevated [CO2] strongly decreased the Fe concentration in foxtail millet, but it did not affect the concentration of K, Ca, Cu, or Zn. Moreover, the grain mineral accumulation of K, Mn, Zn, and the grain accumulation of starch were significantly increased under eCO2 across the three years. In particular, eCO2 significantly increased the concentration and accumulation of P across the three years. eCO2 had a slight effect on the nutritional quality of foxtail millet. These results suggest that the climate change-resilient C4 model crop holds with great promise for food security and nutrition under eCO2.

ANALYSIS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF IMPROVED MILLET PRODUCTION TEHNOLOGIES IN CENTRAL ZONE OF BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

The study analysed the adoption of improved millet production technologies among farmers in central zone of Borno State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed and total of 178 millet farmers were randomly sampled and proportionately drawn at 5% across each of the eight (8) selected villages. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaire and analysed using frequency count, percentage, adoption index, and ordered logistic regression. The results revealed that higher percentage (85.6%) of respondents were male, 57% were married and had age range of 31-40 with mean of 43 years. Similarly, household size had a mean of 11 people, about 52% of farmers had a non-formal education, 46.1% had a farm size of 1-2 ha, and about 47% of the farmers had been involved in millet farming with an average of 10 years farming experience. The adoption index result of 57.2% indicated that the study as a whole recorded medium adoption. The results of the ordered logistic regression disclosed that farm size, and household size; and level of education were negatively significant at P≤0.01 and P≤0.10, respectively. Access to credit and extension contact were positively significant (P≤0.10) and also farming experience had positively significant (P≤0.01) relationship with the adoption of improved millet packages. The major constraint to adoption of improved millet package in the study area was inaccessibility of credit facilities. The study concluded that the adoption of improved millet package as a whole was influenced by socio-economic and institutional factors. The study therefore, recommended that cooperative societies should be strengthened and expanded to accommodate more farmers with a view to having easy access to new agricultural technologies as well as credit facilities.

Standardization of Different Pre-sowing Seed Treatments on Growth, Yield and Yield Attributing Traits of Kodo Millet (Paspalum scorbiculatum)

Background: Paspalum scorbiculatum is an annual crop and has superior nutritional properties including high micronutrients, dietary fiber content and gluten free. It has low glycemic index (GI) carbohydrate diets help in prevention of Obesity, Diabeties and Cardiovascular diseases, etc. The current study was aimed to find out the suitable pre- sowing seed treatments for Kodo millet. Methods: During the Kharif season 2019- 2020 total of 12 pre- sowing seed treatments were subjected with Botanicals, Magnetic and Electric fields, Thermal (Hot water) treatments and to fix the best treatment based on Seed Quality and Morphological traits of treated seeds. Morphological traits play an major role in crop growth and development where as, the present investigation was carried out with farmer’s variety in field (RBD) design in 3 replications and laboratory (CRD) design in 4 replications in order to “Standardization of different pre- sowing seed treatments on growth, yield and yield attributing traits of Kodo millet (Paspalum scorbiculatum). Seeds were subjected to various pre- sowing seed treatments viz. (T0) control, exposure to Magnetic field at 100 mT, 200 mT, 400 mT for 15,30 and 45 min; exposure to Electric field at 50 mA, 100 mA, 150 mA for 5,10, 15 min. Treatment with botanicals cow dung (5 gm) and Datura leaf extract (2.5 ml) for 12 hrs; Thermal hot water treatment at 46°C and 50°C for 10 min. Result: Among all the treatments, T4-Magnetic field (200 mT) gave the best results in field and lab conditions of field emergence (98.610) and germination% (98.5), Magnetic field (400 mT) shown the good results and significantly higher values of all other yield (45.867, 78.833, 660.480, 165.120) and morphological traits as well as seed quality parameters like shoot length (86.925), root length (44.55), seedling length (13.131), vigour index- I and II (1267.138 and 5.058), fresh (0.343) and dry (0.0524) weight of seedlings and comparatively control (T0) was observed lowest to other treatments. As such, Magnetic treatment is quite effective for seedling establishment to overcome low germination and yield which helps in Qualitative and Quantiative seed production of Millets in sustainable agriculture.

The efficient use of radiation, water, and nitrogen uptake by low-nitrogen-tolerant broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) increased grain yield in the Loess Plateau, China

The development of highly productive, low-N-tolerant cultivars is important to facilitate green and sustainable agriculture. However, it is unclear how low-N-tolerant cultivars achieve high grain yields under field conditions. In this study, the physiology facilitating the strong growth and efficient resource use of four low-N-tolerant Panicum miliaceum L. cultivars was compared with two low-N-sensitive cultivars using low and typical N fertilization applications (0, 75, and 150 kg N ha−1) on the semiarid Loess Plateau, China in 2019 and 2020. Compared to normal N fertilization, low N fertilization treatments significantly decreased plant photosynthetic capacity by regulating leaf stomatal closing, resulting in reduced dry matter accumulation and transportation, growth inhibition, weakened resource utilization, and consequently, a 28.9% decrease in grain yield. Compared to the low-N-sensitive cultivars, the low-N-tolerant cultivars had improved growth, leaf photosynthetic capacity, and dry matter transportation. These improved physiological characteristics resulted in more effective resource capture in the low-N-tolerant cultivars. This included higher and more efficient radiation use (24.4% and 26.9%), water use (63.5% and 48.2%), and N uptake (37.0% and 33.7%) in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Furthermore, the low-N-tolerant cultivars had increased productivity, with higher grain yields (38.6-41.6%) and harvest index values (16.7-28.2%) under low N conditions in the two years of the study. Overall, the results of this study determined the effect of low N input on broomcorn millet productivity and illustrated the strategies by which low-N-tolerant cultivars increased grain yield in semiarid field conditions.

Nijerya'da gıda savunması ve ekonomik çeşitlendirme için darı üretiminin potansiyellerinden yararlanmak

Aims: Millet has the potential to become important components of intensive agriculture especially in Nigeria, hence the need to explore its food security and economic diversification potentials. Methods and Results: Time series data that spanned from 1961 to 2018 sourced from FAO database, covering production, area and yield were used to examine the food security trend of millet production in Nigeria. The collected data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The finding showed poor performance in the production of millet as growth was driven by area other than productivity. It was observed that price volatility triggered high fluctuation in area and yield, thus causing high instability in the production of millet. In addition, production risk and uncertainty were the major sources of production variability between the regime shifts. It was observed that surge in the average production level between regime shifts owed majorly to area expansion. The empirical evidence showed that the farmers decision on current acreage allocation for millet was governed by both institutional and non-institution factors. Furthermore, the forecast showed that the country will be faced with millet food insecurity to battle with; as critical reliance on millet importation will expose the country to risks from global food price spikes and shortages; and geopolitical and environmental threats. Conclusions: Thus, it can be inferred that the growth performance of millet production is not favorable. In lieu, the study recommends the need for long-term domestic self-sufficiency in millet production capable of feeding the country’s population as a key strategic food goal. Significance and Impact of the Study: Therefore, the outcome of this research will serve as leverage/ leeway for policy makers towards addressing the challenges of millet production for food security, stimulating livestock production-animal feed and foreign earning viz. exportation to the abundant arid regions in the sub-Saharan Africa.

Integrated nutrient management improves soil organic matter and agronomic sustainability of semiarid rainfed Inceptisols of the Indo‐Gangetic Plains

ABSTRACTBackgroundClimate and management practices impact the soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks of agricultural soils. Especially under the semiarid climate of India, organic matter is rapidly decomposed, and imbalanced nutrient input further exacerbates its depletion, thus facilitating the decline in soil quality and crop yields. Improving SOC contents through integrated nutrient management (INM), that is, conjunctive use of organic and chemical sources of nutrients, could ameliorate soil health and sustain crop yields.AimTo assess the potential of the INM approach to enhance the SOC status, soil quality, crop production, and drought adaptation of pearl millet under rainfed conditions.MethodsNutrient inputs were supplied through mineral fertilizers, organic manures, and a combination of both. SOC sequestration, sustainable yield index, plant‐available N, P, K, and water, bulk density, and KMnO4‐oxidizable C were estimated.ResultsHigher SOC sequestration rate (0.50 and 0.48 Mg ha−1 y−1 in 50% N (fertilizer) + 50% N (farmyard manure), and 50% N (fertilizer) + 50% N (crop residue), respectively) and significant increase in soil fertility were recorded in organically amended treatments. Improvement of 1 Mg ha−1 of SOC stock in the root zone (0.4 m depth) reduced the severity of drought and increased the yield by 38 kg ha−1. Plots under organic amendments suffered less yield losses under short‐duration droughts, but this positive effect could only be exploited when the rainfall deficit was up to 25%.ConclusionManagements that add up to 1.2 Mg ha−1 y−1 SOC are adaptive and climate‐resilient strategies in dry semiarid degraded Inceptisols of the Indo‐Gangetic Plains.

Constraints to Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) Production and Farmers’ Approaches to Striga hermonthica Management in Burkina Faso

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a staple food crop in Burkina Faso that is widely grown in the Sahelian and Sudano-Sahelian zones, characterised by poor soil conditions and erratic rainfall, and high temperatures. The objective of this study was to document farmers’ perceptions of the prevailing constraints affecting pearl millet production and related approaches to manage the parasitic weeds S. hermonthica. The study was conducted in the Sahel, Sudano-Sahelian zones in the North, North Central, West Central, Central Plateau, and South Central of Burkina Faso. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and focus group discussions involving 492 participant farmers. Recurrent drought, S. hermonthica infestation, shortage of labour, lack of fertilisers, lack of cash, and the use of low-yielding varieties were the main challenges hindering pearl millet production in the study areas. The majority of the respondents (40%) ranked S. hermonthica infestation as the primary constraint affecting pearl millet production. Respondent farmers reported yield losses of up to 80% due to S. hermonthica infestation. 61.4% of the respondents in the study areas had achieved a mean pearl millet yields of <1 t/ha. Poor access and the high cost of introduced seed, and a lack of farmers preferred traits in the existing introduced pearl millet varieties were the main reasons for their low adoption, as reported by 32% of respondents. S. hermonthica management options in pearl millet production fields included moisture conservation using terraces, manual hoeing, hand weeding, use of microplots locally referred to as ‘zaï’, crop rotation and mulching. These management techniques were ineffective because they do not suppress the below ground S. hermonthica seed, and they are difficult to implement. Integrated management practices employing breeding for S. hermonthica resistant varieties with the aforementioned control measures could offer a sustainable solution for S. hermonthica management and improved pearl millet productivity in Burkina Faso.

Effect of phosphorus and FYM on yield and uptake of nutrients in pearl millet

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2015-16 at Panwari village, Agra, Uttar Pradesh to study the effect of four graded levels of FYM (0, 5, 10 and 15 t/ha) and phosphorus (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P2O5 /ha) on yield, quality and uptake of nutrients in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L). Results revealed that the growth and yield attributes of pearl millet increased significantly with the application of FYM up to 10 t/ha and fertilizer P up to 40 kg P2O5/ha. The results indicated the superiority of integrated use of FYM and fertilizer phosphorus in increasing the productivity of pearl millet compared to application of fertilizer P alone. Protein content and yield in grain increased significantly with the application of 60 kg P2O5 /ha and 10 t FYM /ha over their respective controls. The uptake of N, P and K by pearl millet grain and stover increased significantly with increasing levels of P over control. The amounts of organic carbon, available N and P in post harvest soil increased significantly with the increasing levels of both FYM and phosphorus.

Influence of Weed Management Practices on Nutrient Removal and Performance of Transplanted Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L.)

Background: Finger millet production and productivity is lowering in India due to the growth of different weed species. Weeds are the prime yield limiting biotic constraints in finger millet. Therefore, the present investigation has been carried out to find out the suitable weed management practices on the performance of finger millet. Methods: In this regard, a field experiment was carried out during Kharif, 2018 at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India to evaluate the different weed management practices for transplanted finger millet under sodic soil. The experiment comprised of ten weed management practices with different herbicidal treatments viz., pre emergence (PE) application of pendimethalin at 750 g/ha, oxyfluorfen at 50 g/ha, bensulfuron methyl at 60 g/ha + pretilachlor at 600 g/ha, early post emergence (EPOE) application of bispyribac sodium at 25 g/ha, PE pendimethalin at 750 g/ha fb EPOE bispyribac sodium at 25 g/ha, PE oxyfluorfen at 50 g/ha fb EPOE bispyribac sodium at 25 g/ha, PE bensulfuron methyl at 60 g/ha + pretilachlor at 600 g/ha fb EPOE bispyribac sodium at 25 g/ha, PE oxyfluorfen at 50 g/ha fb hand weeding (HW) at 30 DAT, HW at 15 and 30 DAT and unweeded control (UWC) in transplanted finger millet. Result: The results revealed that lower nutrient removal by weeds, higher nutrient uptake by crop and yield parameters viz., productive tillers/m2, earhead weight and total grains/earhead were registered in application of PE bensulfuron methyl at 60 g/ha + pretilachlor at 600 g/ha fb EPOE bispyribac sodium at 25 g/ha. The highest grain and straw yields were also registered in application of PE bensulfuron methyl at 60 g/ha + pretilachlor at 600 g/ha fb EPOE bispyribac sodium at 25 g/ha and it was on par with hand weeding at 15 and 30 DAT.

Ecological plasticity and stability of common millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) productivity in different environmental conditions of Ukraine

Purpose. To estimate the ecological plasticity of common millet yield under conditions of Steppe, Forest-Steppe and Forest of Ukraine. Methods. Mathematical and statistical: determination of stability and plasticity by Eberhart & Russell method, correlation analysis. Results. As a result of correlation analysis of millet cultivated areas during the period of 2011–2020, it was revealed that cultivated areas in Ukraine depend on the world ones (r = 0.34). It was determined that a high level of common millet yield was obtained in the forest-steppe zone, namely in Poltava, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, Sumy and Kharkiv regions (2.20–2.51 t/ha). Quite high rates of yield were obtained in Vinnytsia, Kyiv (Forest-Steppe zone) and Kirovohrad (Steppe zone) regions (1.86–2.02 t/ha). Low yield over 10 years was noted in Rivne, Zhytomyr and Volyn regions, which belong to the Forrest zone (1.09–1.34 t/ha). It is shown that during 2011–2015 high variability of millet yield was observed in Khmelnytskyi, Vinnytsia and Volyn regions. The coefficient of variation was 42.0–71.3%. During 2016–2020 significant variation was noted in Donetsk, Volyn and Odesa regions. The coefficient of variation was 31.8–43.9%. In the period from 2016 to 2020, high plasticity of the yield trait was noted in Vinnitsa, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Poltava, Cherkasy, Sumy and Khmelnitsky regions. During 2016–2020 high plasticity trait of millet yield was in Vinnytsia, Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy and Poltava regions. Conclusions. According to the results of the studies, it was found that with a reduction in the area under millet in the world, the volume of its production in Ukraine increases. It was determined that the hig­hest yield of millet was obtained in the Forest-Steppe zone during the years of observation. According to the plasticity of millet yield, it was found that favorable conditions for realization of its biological potential were in Donetsk and Kirovohrad regions of Steppe zone, in Forest-Steppe zone of Vinnytsia, Poltava, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy and Sumy regions.