Millet Production Research Articles

Foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.] grown under nitrogen deficiency exhibits a lower folate contents.

Foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.], as a rich source of folates, has been cultivated on arid infertile lands, for which N deficiency is one of the major issues. Growing environments might have a significant influence on cereal folate levels. However, little is known whether N deficiency modulates cereal folate levels. In order to obtain enriched folate foxtail millet production in nutrient-poor soil, we conducted a study investigating the content of folate derivatives of 29 diverse foxtail millet cultivars under two N regimes (0 and 150 kg N ha-1) for 2 years to explore folate potential grown under low N. The contents of total folate and most derivatives were reduced by N deficiency. The effect on total folate content caused by N was stronger than cultivar genotype did. Folate content of enriched folate cultivars was prone to be reduced by N deficiency. Structural equation models (SEMs) revealed that N fertilization had a positive indirect effect on grain folate content through influencing plant N and K accumulation. Collectively, the results indicate much more attention should be paid to N management when foxtail millet is cultivated in infertile soil, to improve foxtail millet folate contents.

Awareness and Consumption of Millet Products Among College Students in YSR (Kadapa) District, Andhra Pradesh

The millets or "Nutri-cereals" or superfoods, are highly nutritious and offer various health benefits. Despite their advantages, millet production has declined in India from 2010-11 to 2020-21 at -0.94 Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). This study focuses on assessing the awareness, analyzing the consumption pattern and the factors influencing the consumption of millet products among college students in the YSR (Kadapa) district, Andhra Pradesh. The primary data for the study was gathered through structured interviews with 120 college students from four colleges in the study area. The respondents' demographic, economic, social, psychographic, and behavioral features were analyzed. The study revealed that most respondents (94.17 per cent) were aware of millet based products, and 80.83 per cent respondents were aware through word of mouth from family and friends. Products made with Ragi millet were the most consumed millet products. The health and nutritional benefits was the key factor influencing millet product consumption. The findings can assist businesses in effectively marketing their millet-based products.

Constraints Percieved by Tribal Farmers in Production and Post-harvest Practices of Small Millets

Millet farmers are not getting remunerative prices to their produce due to various constraints like lack of assured markets, lack of mechanization and less awareness on improved production techniques. Despite these challenges, millet farming has the potential to play a significant role in ensuring food security and nutrition in the future. State and Central governments, research institutions, and the private sector are working to address the constraints involved in production and post harvesting of millet. To understand and overcome these challenges, millet federations or millet FPOs is need of the hour. The present study was conducted in 3 FPOs (Balanagar, Manyam Devarkadra and Mahbubnagar) promoted by ICAR-IIMR in Tribal area of Mahbubnagar district of Telangana. A total of 120 samples were used for collecting the data with the help of well tested interview schedule. The study was conducted during the year 2022-23. Descriptive statistics like frequency, percentage, averages and standard deviations were used for analyzing the data. The study highlighted the constraints involved in production and post-harvest practices of small millets. Strengthening extension services, promoting new varieties and quality seeds, and improving awareness about technology and modern farming practices can contribute to increased productivity and economic well-being for millet growers. Additionally, addressing labor and market-related challenges, can further help millet growers to achieve economies of scale.

Comprehensive review of cultivation & production of millets in Madhya Pradesh: IYM 2023

Comprehensive review of cultivation & production of millets in Madhya Pradesh: IYM 2023

Constraints, Interventions and Prospects for Improving Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L) Production in the State of Eritrea - A review

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) is the second most important cereal grown in Eritrea after sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) grown under low input systems by small scale farmers. The crop utilizes soil moisture efficiently and has ability to tolerate soil toxicity and extreme temperatures than other cereals. It is a sustenance and food security crop important for its nutritive and cultural value and provides dietary energy and nutrition. However, despite the positive attributes and qualities of pearl millets for the present and future agriculture, production has been low. We attribute this to inadequate rainfall distribution, poor crop management by poorly resourced farmers, unavailability and high prices of farm inputs such as fertilizer and pesticides and low adoption of improved varieties by the farmers. This review outlines the constraints, interventions the government/ farmers have and can implement and the prospects of actions that can improve pearl millet production. As much as there have been efforts by the government and stakeholders to address these challenges and improve productivity of pearl millet, more needs to be done to meet the increasing demand of the increasing populations. This will enable farmers to intensify and diversify their agricultural systems and improve food security situation in the country. Unless a combined effort in soil fertility improvement, policies to promote use of modern varieties and conservation of and promotion of this crop biodiversity, the potential of this crop as famine and poverty alleviation among the rural poor will not be realized.

Priming Apoplast-Associated Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens LAS10 Enhances Growth and Yield Attributes of Little Millet Under Drought Stress

Little millet plant, in general, withstands various climatic changes and environmental stresses. The endophytic bacterial communities associated with these plants help the plant to develop enduring harsh conditions. Priming seeds with endophytic bacteria helps the host plant grow under adverse environments. The present study aimed to prime the seeds with apoplastic endophytic bacteria, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LAS10 from little millet (var. ATL1) and to evaluate the efficiency to tolerate an osmotic potential of -10 bars (-1MPa). The seeds were primed with B. amyloliquefaciens LAS10 to investigate the plant growth attributes in vitro and in vivo. Induced drought stress was imposed using different concentrations of PEG6000 in vitro and by withholding the irrigation for ten days during panicle initiation in vivo. Biometric observations were recorded. The results showed significant differences both in vegetative growth parameters as well as yield attributes compared with the control under moisture stress. During the panicle initiation stage (20 DAS), the shoot length (32.26, and 28.36 cm), root length (19.1, and 17.7 cm), total plant biomass (4.61, and 2.47 g), number of productive tillers plant-1 (5, and 3), the total number of panicles plant1 (15.63, and 13.69), panicle length (9.9 cm, and 9.1 cm) and 1000 grain weight (12.91, and 11.92 g), grain yield plant-1 (16.92, and 12.24g), straw yield (21.65, and 19.31) registered more in B. amyloliquefaciens LAS10 primed plants compared to uninoculated control under both irrigated and drought stressed conditions, respectively. Thus, the present study confirmed that the inoculation of little millet with the apoplastic bacterium B. amyloliquefaciens LAS10 could promote plant growth and productivity under moisture stress. Further, the apoplastic bacterium B. amyloliquefaciens LAS10 can be recommended as a bio-inoculant for alleviating drought stress in little millet and enhancing crop fitness and sustainable little millet production.

Effect of different dates of sowing on the severity of blast disease of pearl millet under field conditions

Pearl millet is infected by many diseases, which cause yield reduction and economic losses to the grower. Among several diseases, blast disease has emerged as a serious one, affecting both forage and grain production of pearl millet. The research work has been carried out at the Center for Crop Improvement, S. D. Agricultural University, S. K. Nagar, during the Kharif seasons of 2018 and 2019. The experiment comprising susceptible cultivars of pearl millet was conducted on varied planting dates (D1: 27th June, D2: 4th July, D3: 11th July, and D4: 18th July) to find out the appropriate date of sowing for management of blast under natural conditions. The minimum disease intensity (63.27%) was observed in the 4th July sown crop, followed by the 11th July sown crop (70.47%). The next treatment in merit was the 27th June sown crop (70.77%). The maximum intensity (72.49%) was recorded in the 18th July sown crop.

Production and value addition of climate-smart millets: An economic analysis in eastern dry zone of Karnataka, India

Production and value addition of climate-smart millets: An economic analysis in eastern dry zone of Karnataka, India

Improved soil fertility, plant nutrition and grain yield of soybean and millet following maize intercropped with forage grasses and crotalaria in the Brazilian savanna

Context Intercropping maize with tropical forages is known to provide multiple benefits for the agricultural sustainability in the Brazilian savanna. Despite that, more studies are needed to define strategies to improve soil quality and increase crop yield of subsequent crops. Aims This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of cultivating maize in monoculture or in double- and triple-intercropping with brachiaria and crotalaria on the chemical and microbiological attributes of soil, nutritional status of soybean, and the productivity of soybean and millet in succession in the cerrado of eastern Maranhão. Methods The intercropping systems implemented in 2017 were as follows: maize (Zea mays) + Urochloa ruzizienses (brachiaria); maize + Crotalaria juncea (crotalaria); maize + brachiaria + crotalaria; and monoculture maize as a control. In 2018 and 2019, soybean and millet were cultivated on the same plots. Key results The triple-intercropping promoted immediate improvement in the biological and chemical attributes of the soil, especially when compared with monoculture maize. Intercropping maize with brachiaria, with or without crotalaria, increased soybean productivity by 21% and millet by 44% in the subsequent year, compared with monoculture maize system. Intercropping maize with brachiaria, with or without crotalaria, increased the leaf concentrations of nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, and sulfur of the subsequent soybean crop, suggesting improved nutrient cycling with intercropped forages. Conclusions Intercropping maize + forage, especially brachiaria, can be recommended for crop rotation and succession systems in the Brazilian savanna. Implications These results quantified the benefits of crop rotation following intercropping with maize and forage, which can be an alternative for farmers in the Brazilian savanna.

Economic aspects of growing and production of buckwheat, millet and rice in Ukraine

Economic aspects of growing and production of buckwheat, millet and rice in Ukraine

Assessing the Effectiveness of Zero Tillage and Legume-based Cropping Systems for Enhancing Soil Nitrogen Concentrations and Stocks under Rainfed Pearl Millet Production Systems

Assessing the Effectiveness of Zero Tillage and Legume-based Cropping Systems for Enhancing Soil Nitrogen Concentrations and Stocks under Rainfed Pearl Millet Production Systems

Export performance and direction of trade of millets from India

Millets are a group of highly variable small seeded grains, widely grown around the world as cereal crops for nutritious human food and fodder for animals. Millets are important crops in the semi-arid tropics of Asia and Africa (especially in India and Nigeria), with 97 percent of millet production in developing countries. The current study intended to know the trends in export and direction of trade of selected millets in India from 2003-04 to 2021-22 and from 2012-13 to 2021-22 respectively. Among the millet crops, Sorghum, bajra and ragi were selected for the export dynamics study. Secondary data regarding export of millets and data on country wise exports was obtained from APEDA. Trend in exports is estimated using Compound Annual Growth Rate model. The exports millets were recorded higher CAGR of 23.93 percent during sexennial period I, where during sexennial period II and sexennial period III the CAGR was around -3 and -5 percent respectively. Which was reduced exports during the period. During the overall period was recorded -1.24 percent, which was varied during the latter years. The instability index in export of millets was estimated using Cuddy & Della Valle instability index. The CDVI during overall period recorded was 40.59 percent which was highly instable exports in the period. The dynamic nature of trade pattern of the millets was analyzed by employing first order Markov process. By TPM it was noticed that most loyal country which imports sorghum was UAE, UK for bajra and Nepal is major importer of ragi. Efforts should be taken to promote export of millets from India to explore and exploit potential of other markets and to avoid overdependency on few countries.

Awareness and consumption of millets among women

Millets are amazing in their nutrition content. The millet is highly nutritious and contains important amino acids and also has several health benefits such as anti-diabetic, antitumerogenic, atherosclero-genic effects, and antioxidant. In this article we analyzed the awareness and consumption of millets by respondents. The present study was done on different millets which are rich source of macro and micronutrients whose consumption is very less in general population due to lack of awareness or ignorance. Therefore, the effort was made to develop products. Two commonly consumed products namely Appe and Idli were developed from millets, Sorghum millet, Pearl millet and Finger millet 60 gm each. Acceptability evaluation of prepared recipes was performed by semi trained panel through 9 point Hedonic rating scale test. The result revealed that among the recipes (Appe and Idli) prepared by adding 60 gm millets in which Sorghum millet product were acceptable when compared to product developed by Pearl and Finger millet. The result of the Nutritive value indicated that Pearl millet had appreciable amount of Protein, Energy, Carbohydrates, Fiber, Iron and Calcium. Therefore, it can be concluded that products developed from Sorghum millet was acceptable by the panel member but nutritive value was found in pearl millet.

Calibration and Validation of APSIM Millet Model for Proso millet (<em>Panicum miliaceum</em> L.) Accessions as a Basis for Crop Diversification

Purpose: Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is an underutilised minor millet grown as a rain-fed crop in subsistence farming systems in tropical African and Asian countries including Sri Lanka. It is identified as a climate-resilient crop that exhibits a huge potential to diversify conventional farming systems, however few modelling studies have assessed this crop, especially in the tropics. The objective of this study is to calibrate and validate Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) model for Proso millet. Research Method: The millet model of APSIM that was developed based on Pearl millet was calibrated for five farmer-selected Proso millet accessions using the data gathered from two field experiments. Yield data collected from 35 farmers’ fields under different crop management practices were used to validate the model. Findings: The observed phenology, leaf area index, above ground biomass and grain yield were not significantly different (p > 0.05) from the simulated values of the calibrated model. The observed yields (1187±336 kg ha–1) in the farmers’ fields were not significantly (p > 0.05) different from the simulated yields (1208±255 kg ha–1), suggesting a good calibration of the model. Research Limitations: Lack of field data under different abiotic stress conditions is a limitation for further validation of the model. Originality/ Value: APSIM millet model has not been tested for Proso millet previously. Derived genetic coefficients were successfully used to simulate Proso millet production.

Effect of Establishment Methods and Organic Nutrient Management Practices on Productivity and Profitability of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L.) in Lateritic Soils of Odisha

A field experiment was carried out during kharif seasons in 2020 and 2021 at Agronomy Main Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar to study effect of crop establishment method and organic nutrient management on finger millet ('Arjuna' variety). The experiment was laid out in a split plot design and replicated thrice. The treatments comprised of 2 methods of crop establishment viz. conventional method of line transplanting (20 cm x 10 cm) and system of finger millet intensification (25 cm X 25 cm ) in main plot with application of 4 organic nutrient sources viz. farm yard manure (FYM) @ 100% recommended nitrogen dose (RDN), FYM @ 50% RDN (basal) + Vermicompost @ 50% RDN (top dressing) and FYM @ 25% RDN (basal) + toria oil cake @ 25% RDN (basal) + Vermicompost @ 50 % RDN (topdressing) allotted to sub plot in finger millet during Kharif season. System of finger millet intensification (SFMI) method of establishment resulted in superior yield attributes, grain yield (2,051 kg ha-1), straw yield (2,901 kg ha-1) and harvest index (41.42%) in finger millet than line transplanting. Yield attributes, grain yield (2,092 kg ha-1), straw yield (2,889 kg ha-1 ) and harvest index (42.00 %) were higher with the application of FYM @ 50% RDN (basal) + Vermicompost @ 50 % RDN (top dressing) in finger millet and was statistically similar with application of FYM @ 25% RDN (basal) + toria oil cake @ 25% RDN (basal) + Vermicompost @ 50 % RDN (top dressing). The benefit cost ratio was higher in SFMI and with the application of FYM @ 50% RDN (basal) + Vermicompost @ 50 % RDN (top dressing) to finger millet.

The optimization of the elements of the cultivation technology of Panicum Miliaceum L. under conditions of Polissia

Аіm. To determine the specifics of the formation of millet productivity as well as of grain quality indicators depending on the varietal features and a predecessor under conditions of Polissia. Methods. Field, laboratory, statistical and comparative-calculation methods. The study of the adaptive capacity of the millet varieties “Kharkivske 57” and “Vitrylo“ was conducted during the period of 2018–2020 on the sod-podzolic sandy-loam soils of Polissia. Results. As follows from the results of the study the rational choice of the predecessor promotes to the formation of the millet yield potential of 2.71–3.55 t/hаwith the protein content in seeds – 12.1–13.2 % under favourable conditions in Polissia. The millet variety ”Vitrylo” showed the highest level of the genetic potential realization, its yield was by 0.11–0.28 % t/ha higher as compared with “Kyivske 96” variety depending on a predecessor. Conclusions. The dependence of the formation of millet productivity and of the mass of 1000 seeds depending on the predecessor was studied. On the average the increase in the grain yield during the years of study equaled 0.50–0.73 t/ha under a millet sowing after bare fallow and buckwheat. The cultivation of the varieties “Kyivske 76” and “Vitrylo” after bare fallow and buckwheat promotes to an increase of 1000 seeds mass up to 8.4–9.1 and 9.1–9.3 g respectively. The results of a chemical composition of millet grain depending on the biological varietal features and a predecessor are given. The sowing of the millet varieties “Kyivske 76” and “Vitrylo” after bare fallow promotes to an increase in the amount of protein up to 12.7 and 13.5 % respectively. The study of millet varieties reaction on the innovative elements of the adaptive cultivation technologies under Polissia conditions are prospective.

Influence of Meteo-Climatic Variables and Fertilizer Use on Crop Yields in the Sahel: A Nonlinear Neural-Network Analysis

The Sahel is one of the regions with the highest rates of food insecurity in the world. Understanding the driving factors of agricultural productivity is, therefore, essential for increasing crop yields whilst adapting to a future that will be increasingly dominated by climate change. This paper shows how meteo-climatic variables, combined with fertilizers’ application rates, have affected the productivity of two important crops in the Sahel region, i.e. maize and millet, over the last three decades. To this end, we have applied a specifically designed neural network tool (optimised for analysis of small datasets), endowed with feed-forward networks and backpropagation training rules and characterised by generalised leave-one-out training and multiple runs of neural network models in an ensemble strategy. This tool allowed us to identify and quantify the impacts of single drivers and their linear and nonlinear role. The variables analysed included temperature, precipitation, atmospheric CO2 concentration, chemical and organic fertilizer input. They explained most of the variance in the crop data (R2 = 0.594 for maize and R2 = 0.789 for millet). Our analysis further allowed us to identify critical threshold effects affecting yields in the region, such as the number of hours with temperature higher than 30 °C during the growing season. The results identified heat waves and fertilizer application rates playing a critical role in affecting maize and millet yields in this region, while the role of increasing CO2 was less important. Our findings help identify the modalities of ongoing and future climate change impacts on maize and millet production in the Sahel.

Assessment of Agricultural Land Suitability for Surface Irrigation Using Geospatial Techniques in the Lower Omo Gibe Basin, Ethiopia

Land suitability assessment for irrigation is critical to inform as well as manage current and future irrigated agriculture production systems. Land suitability analysis determines whether a given land area could potentially be used for specific crop production. The objective of this study was to identify the availability of suitable land for surface irrigation systems for the production of millet, sorghum, sugarcane, and wheat production in the Lower Omo Gibe plain, Southern Ethiopia. Land suitability analysis was performed by a parametric method using factors such as soil texture, effective soil depth, Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3), soil electrical conductivity (ECe), drainage class, and slope. Five land suitability classes were identified that include highly suitable (S1), moderately suitable (S2), marginally suitable (S3), currently not suitable (N1), and permanently not suitable (N2). Results showed that 6.6, 7.5, 6.6, and 6.6% of the study area mostly located in the western part of the basin, were highly suitable (S1) for irrigated millets, sorghum, sugarcane, and wheat crops production, respectively. However, the mountainous areas in the central part of the basin were classified as N2 due to the steep slope and shallow soil depth. Overall, the results of the study revealed that the use of various suitability analysis techniques could assist in identifying suitable land for irrigated agriculture.

Non‐thermal process technologies: Influences on nutritional and storage characteristics of millets

AbstractMillets are tiny‐seeded grains that play a crucial part in the mitigation of malnutrition and food insecurity due to global warming, accelerated growth in population, and an economic slowdown. Millets are indigenous climate‐resilient food crops that are processed to achieve enhanced shelf‐stable products along with preservation of their nutritional value. Non‐thermal processing is preferred in this aspect, owing to its minimal undesirable effects. Non‐thermal processing has many advantages over traditional techniques. Food ingredients that are sensitive to heat and chemical treatments can be subjected to non‐thermal processing for microbial disinfection, enzyme inactivation, protein modification, etc. It offers a new generation of value‐added foods with intact bioactive ingredients. This paper presents the recent advances in non‐thermal processing methods used in sorghum, foxtail, kodo, proso, little, pearl, and finger millets. This review consolidates the studies on the effects of mechanical grinding, germination, fermentation, high hydrostatic pressure, ultrasonication, irradiation, pulsed light, light emitting diodes, and cold plasma in the nutritive quality and storage characteristics of millets. Germination, fermentation, high pressure, ultrasonication, irradiation, pulsed‐light, and cold plasma improved the nutritional attributes, free radicals scavenging activity, and sensory characteristics of millets; however, extreme dehulling, milling, and polishing affected the contents of micronutrients, polyphenols, and dietary fiber. The processing methods also reduced the bulk density of millet products in the preparation of weaning and geriatric foods.Practical ApplicationsNon‐thermal techniques are advantageous in terms of in‐package decontamination of raw materials or finished products of millets. This is particularly beneficial for ready‐to‐eat foods as it mitigates recontamination. Understanding the variations in the nutritive quality of millets when subjected to processing can aid the researchers, consumers, and food industries in the selection of a suitable technique to enhance nutrition, improve its bioavailability, and combat nutrition and food insecurity.

Sulfur Sources Mediated the Growth, Productivity, and Nutrient Acquisition Ability of Pearlmillet–Mustard Cropping Systems

Globally, excess soil nutrient mining is a serious challenge to sustainable agricultural production. The task is more daunting in the semi-arid region of the globe. In addition to the primary nutrient deficiency over the mining of secondary nutrients, especially sulfur is an emerging challenge in contemporary crop production systems. Hence, there is a dire need to devise an appropriate sulfur management protocol by searching for efficient and sustainable sulfur sources. Therefore, the efficacy of new sulfur molecules was evaluated on the performance and nutrient acquisition potential of the pearl millet–mustard system at the research farm of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi, India, for two years. The flexibility of urea–ES technology allows customized sulfur-enhanced urea formulations that suit unique crop needs, offering an all-in-one nitrogen and sulfur fertilizer solution. Hence, the study hypothesized that new sulfur molecules like sulfonated urea (SEU) will have a positive impact on crop growth, yield, and nutrient acquisition in the pearl millet–mustard system. The results revealed that the application of 50% sulfur (S) (15 kg/ha) as a base and 50% (15 kg/ha) as a topdressing (SEU 10-0-0-75) produced better growth, yield-contributing parameters, and economic productivity of the pearl millet–mustard system. However, both compositions of SEU (40-0-0-13 and 10-0-0-75) were significantly better than the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) and the RDF along with other S sources like single super phosphate and bentonite in enhancing crop growth and productivity. The agronomic efficiency of nitrogen (AEn) and S (Aes) of SEU (40-0-0-13 and 10-0-0-75) were 9.1 and 10.3 kg seed yield/kg N and 51.2 and 28.9 kg seed/kg, respectively. The agronomic nitrogen use efficiency of SEU (40-0-0-13) and SEU (10-0-0-75) is significantly higher than those of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) alone. Thus, the findings inferred that splitting S (50% as a base and 50% as topdressing) through SEU is a practically feasible and economically robust S option for profitable and sustainable production of the pearl millet–mustard production model in the semi-arid region.