Finger Millet Production Research Articles

Finger Millet (<i>Eleusine Coracana</i> (L.) Gaertn) Production Status, Challenges, and Seed Source in Ethiopia; A Review

Similar to other cereal crops finger millet is being produced in a large volume in Ethiopia, as they are the principal staple food crop. Finger millet is considered as underutilized cereal crop which is commonly grown in the northern, west-northern, and western parts of the country and it is considered as a crop which is important to overcome malnutrition. Regions including Tigray, Amhara, Oromiya, Benishangul-Gumuz, Southern Nation and Nationalities Peoples (SNNP) and Gambela are considered as the potential regions for the production of finger millet in Ethiopia. Relatively, it is considered as drought tolerant as compared to other major cereals such as rice, wheat, and barley. In addition to this finger millet is considered as a highly resilient crop which can grow in different weather conditions, including drought, floods, and marginal soils. In Ethiopia it is commonly grown for the preparation of local foods like ‘injera’ and porridge and local drink such as ‘areki’ or ‘tella’. About 26 varieties of finger millet are cultivated in main season in the country. In Ethiopia, there are a limited source of cereal crop seeds which includes, farmer’s own saved seeds and government seed distributing companies. In this review the status of production, seed source and nutritional importance of finger millet in Ethiopia is presented.

Crop growth and productivity of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) influenced by organic nutrient sources under Guni method of cultivation

Crop growth and productivity of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) influenced by organic nutrient sources under Guni method of cultivation

Studies on organic source of nutrients on yield attributes and productivity of finger millet in finger millet-groundnut cropping sequence

Studies on organic source of nutrients on yield attributes and productivity of finger millet in finger millet-groundnut cropping sequence

Biotechnological Approaches toward Blast Disease Resistance in Finger Millet

Plant disease globally causes significant losses in crop production that hindering the urgent need for a 60% increase in food demand. The main impact is reduced food quantity and quality leading to compromised food safety from pesticides and toxins. Biotechnology is essential for protecting crop yield and enhancing sustainability in agriculture. Agricultural biotechnology has advanced offering options for understanding plant molecular mechanisms and breeding. The devastating finger millet blast disease caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae affects crop growth and yield leading to instability due to breakdown of blast resistance. Novel strategies are essential for sustainable finger millet production focusing on breeding techniques such as molecular markers, expressed sequence tags (ESTs), gene expression profiling, genome-wide association studies, and genetic transformations to develop new disease-resistance varieties. This comprehensive review explores current breeding strategies and future directions that may offers insights for effective disease control and optimizing finger millet productivity.

Can site-specific nutrient management improve the productivity and resource use efficiency of climate-resilient finger millet in calcareous soils in India?

Finger millet, an important ‘Nutri-Cereal’ and climate-resilient crop, is cultivated as a marginal crop in calcareous soils. Calcareous soils have low organic carbon content, high pH levels, and poor structure. Such a situation leads to poor productivity of the crop. Site-specific nutrient management (SSNM), which focuses on supplying optimum nutrients when a crop is needed, can ensure optimum production and improve the nutrient and energy use efficiency of crops. Moreover, developing an appropriate SSNM technique for this crop could offer new insights into nutrient management practices, particularly for calcareous soils. A field experiment was conducted during the rainy seasons of 2020 and 2021 in calcareous soil at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, India. The experiment consisted of 8 treatments, viz. control, nitrogen (N)/phosphorus (P)/potassium (K)-omission, 75 %, 100 %, and 125 % recommended fertilizer dose (RFD), and 100 % recommended P and K + 30 kg ha−1 N as basal + rest N as per GreenSeeker readings. From this study, it was observed that the GreenSeeker-based SSNM resulted in the maximum grain yield (2873 kg ha−1), net output energy (96.3 GJ ha−1), and agronomic efficiency of N (30.6 kg kg−1), P (68.9 kg kg−1), and K (68.9 kg kg−1). The application of 125 % RFD resulted in ∼7 % lower yield than that under GreenSeeker-based nutrient management. Approximately 12 % greater energy use efficiency and 21–36 % greater nutrient use efficiency were recorded under GreenSeeker-based nutrient management than under 125 % RDF. The indigenous supplies of N, P, and K were found to be 14.31, 3.00, and 18.51 kg ha−1, respectively. Thus, 100 % of the recommended P and K + 30 kg ha−1 N as basal + rest N according to GreenSeeker readings can improve the yield, nutrient use efficiency, and energy balance of finger millet in calcareous soils.

Constraints in production of finger millet

Constraints in production of finger millet

Farmers’ Adoption of Finger Millet Production Technologies and the Impact on Finger Millet Yields

Low remuneration and poor adoption of Finger millet [Eleusine coracana] production technologies were major constraints in yield gap in finger millet. Therefore, evaluation of production potential, adoption, economic and other benefits of the technologies in social perspectives of the farmers was undertaken. The study was conducted in two districts of Karnataka, India where the frontline demonstrations programme organized during the five years from 2017-18 to 2021-22 in 200 farmers’ fields. The knowledge, adoption and impact were measured by following before and after method, and data was collected through survey, focussed group discussion and personal interview methods. The demonstrated technologies resulted into increase in Knowledge over pre demo in use of high yielding variety (85%) followed by use of nitrogen (Urea) (62%), seed treatment (62%), use of FYM (56 %). Increase in adoption over pre demo was found in use of high yielding variety 82 % followed by use of nitrogen (62%), seed treatment (55%), use of FYM (48%). The higher adoption of the demonstrated technologies (71%) by the farmers in Karnataka led to higher grains production (33%) with better quality (65%) and fodder yield by 38% over pre-FLD stage. The increased yields not only enabled them to obtain higher net returns (55%) and incremental increase of benefit-cost ratio (25%) but also motivated to increase in area under finger millet (20%) significantly than the pre-FLD stage. Whereas, very low increase in cost of production (10%) over the pre-FLD stage was observed. Age, education, family size, annual income, institutional support, extension contact, herd size, and utility of grain and fodder were found to be significant in explaining the variation in their adoption level of demonstrated finger millet production technologies. Among the constraints, availability of labour, wild animals (deer and wild boar) and availability of seed are the major production constraints and price fluctuation, limited quantity purchases by government, delay in payment by government, and high commission from APMC are the major market constraints. To boost-up the adoption, large family size of the farmers, their dependency on farming and continuing newly selected farmers with field demonstration of location-specific low-cost technologies up to five years should be considered.

Farmer-preferred traits and variety choices for finger millet in Uganda

Finger millet is a climate-resilient crop providing food and nutrition security and income In Uganda. However, the current productivity of finger millet in farmers’ fields is low and among other factors, this is due to the poor adoption of improved varieties. With this study we aim to identify and profile varietal traits preferred by finger millet farmers and consumers in Uganda. We specifically focus on how these traits vary among women and men in the Ugandan finger millet value chain. We collect data using semi-structured questionnaires among 170 households growing millet in Bushenyi, Lira, and Nwoya districts, and we triangulate questionnaires replies with qualitative information from 11 focus group discussions and 3 key informant interviews. Using descriptive statistics and probit regression models, we find that the majority of the farmers (97%) prefer growing landrace varieties of finger millet compared to only 3% growing improved varieties. The most preferred varieties were Kaguma in Bushenyi, Ajuko Manyige in Nwoya, Kal Atar, and Okello Chiba in Lira. Farmers’ choice of variety depends on a combination of traits including agronomic, marketing, and consumption traits. Gender, marital status, education levels, and occupation are the major socio-demographic factors that influence specific preferences related to finger millet variety. This study lays a foundation for designing a gender-responsive finger millet product profile to guide the development and release of new varieties by the finger millet crop improvement program.

Effect of nutrient sources and organic liquids on growth attributes, yield and economics of production of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.)

Effect of nutrient sources and organic liquids on growth attributes, yield and economics of production of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.)

Economic Viability and Marketing Networks of Finger Millet in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) is vital in global agriculture for its nutritional value, adaptability, & capacity to tackle food security challenges. Data was gathered during 2024 from farmers, local traders, wholesalers and retailers in three districts of the North coastal region of Andhra Pradesh, i.e., Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, & Visakhapatnam, to know the major marketing channels of finger millet. This study analyzes the cost structure and marketing margins in finger millet production across three channels, detailing each stage from farmers (net price Rs. 3300-3320 per quintal) to retailers. Channel 1 had a final retail price of Rs. 5000 with a margin of Rs. 1681, Channel 2 reached Rs. 5500 with a margin of Rs. 2000, and Channel 3 peak at Rs. 6500 with a margin of Rs. 3170. Additionally, it details the costs per acre, with a gross return of Rs. 37950 and a net return of Rs. 1471, revealing a return per rupee of 1.04. The findings highlight the impact of each marketing stage on consumer prices.

Post‐attachment resistance to Striga hermonthica in finger millet (Eleusine coracana)

AbstractFinger millet is a highly nutritious and climate‐resilient cereal crop. Despite its importance, finger millet productivity in East Africa trails other cereals due to several biotic and abiotic factors, including the parasitic weed, Striga hermonthica. Striga spp. are noxious parasitic weeds whose damage can result in 100% yield losses in sub‐Saharan Africa. The objective of our study was to determine differences in post‐attachment responses of a selection of genotypes. We germinated finger millet in Petri dishes, transferred them to rhizotrons and infected the roots with Striga that had been pre‐conditioned for 7 days at 30°C and subsequently pre‐germinated using GR24. Histological analysis was done on three distinct genotypes to determine the host–pathogen interactions. The attachment of Striga onto the host was observed 3 days after inoculation. LESK10, a wild genotype, and OKHALE1 (cultivated) consistently supported fewer Striga plants after inoculation, while GBK029646A, a cultivated finger millet, consistently supported the highest. Histological analysis recorded an incompatible reaction in both OKHALE1 and LESK10 and a compatible reaction in GBK029646A as early as 3 days after infection. Our results suggest the likely existence of novel resistance in crop wild relatives that will be valuable for developing durable resistance to Striga in elite finger millet varieties.

Potential for yield and soil fertility improvement with integration of organics in nutrient management for finger millet under rainfed Alfisols of Southern India.

Finger millet (Eluesine coracana L.) is gaining importance as a food crop with the increasing emphasis on nutritional aspects and drought resilience. However, the average productivity of the crop has stagnated at around 2,000 kg ha-1 in India. Recently released nutrient responsive high yielding varieties are reported to respond better to application of fertilizers/manures. Further, substitution of chemical fertilizers with organic manures to maintain sustainable yields and improve soil health is gaining attention in recent years. Therefore, identifying the appropriate rate and source of nutrition is important to enhance the productivity of finger millet while improving the soil health. A field experiment was conducted during two rainy seasons (July-November, 2018 and 2019) to study the response of finger millet varieties to chemical fertilizers and farmyard manure (FYM) on growth, yields, N use efficiency, N uptake and on soil properties. Two varieties MR-1 and MR-6 were tested with four nutrient management practices viz., unamended control, 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF; 40-20-20 kg NPK ha-1), 50% RDF + 50% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) as FYM and 100% RDN as FYM. Among the varieties, MR-6 outperformed MR-1 in terms of growth, yield, N use efficiency and N uptake. The yield enhancement was up to 22.6% in MR-6 compared to MR-1 across the nutrient management practices. Substituting FYM completely or half of the fertilizer dose increased the growth and yield of finger millet compared to application of chemical fertilizers alone. Similarly, the average biomass yield, ears m-2, grain yield, total N uptake and N use efficiency in response to nutrient management practices followed the order of 100% RDN as FYM > 50% RDF + 50% RDN as FYM > 100% RDF. The soil organic carbon, available N, P, K, and S improved by 25.0, 12.9, 5.7, 6.1, and 22.6%, respectively in the plots under higher rate of FYM application (8 Mg ha-1) compared to plots under chemical fertilizers alone. We conclude that substituting chemical fertilizers either completely or by up to 50% with organic manures supplies adequate amounts of nutrients, improves the yield of finger millet, economic returns, and soil properties.

Productivity of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana (L) Geartn) as Influenced by Pre-emergence Herbicides in the Northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria

Two field trials were conducted during 2011 and 2012 wet seasons at the Research Farm of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru Zaria (Lat. 11 o 11 1 N, Long. 07 O 38E and 686m above sea level), in the northern Guinea savannah zone of Nigeria, to evaluate the efficacy of pre-emergence herbicides on weed in finger millet. The treatments were atrazine (80WP) at the rates of (0.4, 0.8, 1.2 and 1.6 kg a.i/ha), RafT ® (500SC ) (Atrazine 250 g/l + Terbuthylazine 250 g/l ) at the rates of (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 kg a.i/ha) and Bullet (R) (700SC) (Atrazine 225 g/l + Terbuthylazine 225 g/l + Acetochlor 250 g/l) at the rates of (0.35, 0.75, 1.05 and 1.4 kg a.i/ha), hoe weeded control at 3 and 6 WAS and a weedy check. The treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), replicated 3 times. The result shows that all the herbicide treatments significantly reduced weed dry weight than the weedy check. Application of atrazine at 0.8 kg a.i/ha or Raft at 0.5 kg a.i/ha gave lower weed dry weight and weed cover score than the hoe weeded control at 3 and 6WAS.While all the rates of Bullet, Raft at 0.75 and 0.1 kg a.i./ha and atrazine at 1.2 and 1.6 kg a.i./ha resulted in lower weed dry matter production which were comparable to hoe weeded control at 3 and 6WAS. Based on the results obtained from this study, 0.8 kg a.i./ha atrazine or 0.5 kg a.i./ha Raft gave season long weed control over hoe weeded check in finger millet with yield increase of 94.2 and 99.5%, respectively. The weedy checks reduced yield of finger millet by 66.7%.

Growth analysis and parametric budgeting of different exogenous phytohormones on direct sown finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) under irrigated conditions

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) is an important cereal crop known for its nutritional value and adaptability to diverse environmental conditions. In recent years, there has been growing interest in exploring the potential of plant growth regulators (PGR) to enhance crop productivity and quality. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the effect of plant growth regulators on direct sown finger millet variety Co (Ra) 14 in 2022-23. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design consisting of ten treatments viz., T1 (100% RDF - Control), T2 (100% RDF + Foliar spraying of Brassinosteroid @ 0.5 ppm), T3 (100% RDF + Foliar spraying of Gibberellic acid @10 ppm), T4 (100% RDF + Foliar spraying of Salicylic acid @100 ppm), T5 (50% RDF + Foliar spraying of Brassinosteroid @ 0.5 ppm), T6 (50% RDF + Foliar spraying of Gibberellic acid @10 ppm), T7 (50% RDF + Foliar spraying of Salicylic acid @100 ppm), T8 (Foliar spraying of Brassinosteroid @ 0.5 ppm), T9 (Foliar spraying of Gibberellic acid @10 ppm), T10 (Foliar spraying of Salicylic acid @100 ppm). The experiment result showed that the application of 100% RDF + Foliar spraying of Brassinosteroid @ 0.5 ppm (T2) significantly enhanced growth and physiological parameters like plant height (134.1 cm), SPAD value (28.61), soluble protein (11.25%), relative water content (50.2%) and lower proline content (0.15 µ moles g-1). The same treatment combination recorded higher grain yield (4791 Kg ha-1), straw yield (5950 Kg ha-1), per day productivity (44.6 Kg ha-1) and partial productivity (82.9 Kg ha-1) and BEP (126.88%)of finger millet.

Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration in Finger Millet Production in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review of Concepts and Practices

Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration in Finger Millet Production in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review of Concepts and Practices

Correction: Gebreyohannes et al. Finger Millet Production in Ethiopia: Opportunities, Problem Diagnosis, Key Challenges and Recommendations for Breeding. Sustainability 2021, 13, 13463

The authors would like to make the following corrections about the published paper [...]

Reactions of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) Genotypes for Blast Resistance and Yield in Wukari and Takum Taraba State, Nigeria

Finger millet contains high level of methionine, tryptophan, vitamin B, fibre and minerals such as phosphorus, iron, calcium, which serve a good source of balance diet formulations for hypertension, obesity, diabetic patients, pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, people leaving with HIV, malnourished people, incidence of iron deficiency (anemia), and calcium deficiency causing rickets in young children. Production constraints responsible for the low yields have been identified as pests, blast and Striga, drought, low soil fertility, labor intensity, high weed infestation, low yielding varieties, lodging, and poor attitude to the crop. Finger millet blast about 50% yield losses. This disease has been identified as the highest priority constraint to finger millet production in Nigeria, since most landraces and a number of other genotypes are highly susceptible. Field trials were conducted on 22 germplasm (U 15, P224, ACC 32, ACC14, KNE814, IE 3779, KNE 628, KNE 688, KNE 1149, Etiyo Brown, Gulu E, Kala, RW 127(IE 6613), KNE 392, GBK 029681, ACC 3953, GBK 011136A, KNE 689, KNE 1034, Emiroit, Red local check and Black local check) from ICRISAT and farmers in 3 replicates at Wukari and Takum in 2019, to assess for blast disease resistance and yield. A significant negative correlation (0.52) was found between blast severity and DF (days to flowering) suggesting that late/medium flowering varieties are more resistant than the early ones as indicated by genotypes KNE814, IE 3779, KNE 628, KNE 688, KNE 1149, Gulu E,, KNE 392, GBK 029681, ACC 3953, GBK 011136A, KNE 689, KNE 1034, Emiroit and Red (local check) varieties, which were medium maturing and highly resistance to blast disease, with foliar blast severity (1.07 - 3.0), neck blast (1.5 - 2.5) and finger blast (11 - 25 %), NET (3.45 - 4.38), NFPH (5.80) and subsequently highest yield (1565 - 1887 kg/ha), compared to black local variety with the highest foliar blast severity (4.00 - 6.70), neck blast (2.7 - 4.40), finger blast (32 - 36 %), NET (2.50 - 2.70), NFPH (3.30 - 4.70) and lowest yield (688 - 989 kg/ha), respectively in Wukari and Takum locations. Hence, these varieties resistant to foliar, neck, finger blast diseases, good yield parameters are recommended as sources of germplasm for genetic improvement and further research.

Reactions of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) Genotypes for Blast Resistance and Yield in Wukari and Takum Taraba State, Nigeria

Finger millet contains high level of methionine, tryptophan, vitamin B, fibre and minerals such as phosphorus, iron, calcium, which serve a good source of balance diet formulations for hypertension, obesity, diabetic patients, pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, people leaving with HIV, malnourished people, incidence of iron deficiency (anemia), and calcium deficiency causing rickets in young children. Production constraints responsible for the low yields have been identified as pests, blast and Striga, drought, low soil fertility, labor intensity, high weed infestation, low yielding varieties, lodging, and poor attitude to the crop. Finger millet blast about 50% yield losses. This disease has been identified as the highest priority constraint to finger millet production in Nigeria, since most landraces and a number of other genotypes are highly susceptible. Field trials were conducted on 22 germplasm (U 15, P224, ACC 32, ACC14, KNE814, IE 3779, KNE 628, KNE 688, KNE 1149, Etiyo Brown, Gulu E, Kala, RW 127(IE 6613), KNE 392, GBK 029681, ACC 3953, GBK 011136A, KNE 689, KNE 1034, Emiroit, Red local check and Black local check) from ICRISAT and farmers in 3 replicates at Wukari and Takum in 2019, to assess for blast disease resistance and yield. A significant negative correlation (0.52) was found between blast severity and DF (days to flowering) suggesting that late/medium flowering varieties are more resistant than the early ones as indicated by genotypes KNE814, IE 3779, KNE 628, KNE 688, KNE 1149, Gulu E,, KNE 392, GBK 029681, ACC 3953, GBK 011136A, KNE 689, KNE 1034, Emiroit and Red (local check) varieties, which were medium maturing and highly resistance to blast disease, with foliar blast severity (1.07 - 3.0), neck blast (1.5 - 2.5) and finger blast (11 - 25 %), NET (3.45 - 4.38), NFPH (5.80) and subsequently highest yield (1565 - 1887 kg/ha), compared to black local variety with the highest foliar blast severity (4.00 - 6.70), neck blast (2.7 - 4.40), finger blast (32 - 36 %), NET (2.50 - 2.70), NFPH (3.30 - 4.70) and lowest yield (688 - 989 kg/ha), respectively in Wukari and Takum locations. Hence, these varieties resistant to foliar, neck, finger blast diseases, good yield parameters are recommended as sources of germplasm for genetic improvement and further research.

Hydroponic Optimization and Screening of Aluminum Tolerance on Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) Accessions and Cultivars

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) is an annual allotetraploid that belongs to the grass family Poaceae subfamily Chloridoideae. Using less productive cultivars, biotic and abiotic stresses affect the yield and productivity of finger millet in Ethiopia. This research was aimed at investigating the acidity/Al tolerance of 328 finger millet accessions and 15 cultivars from Ethiopia and Zimbabwe. Prior to screening the accessions, optimization was performed on 15 cultivars and 15 accessions under three Al concentrations (0, 75, and 100 µM), and, afterward, 100 µM of Al concentration was selected as the threshold level. Root length (RL) and shoot length (SL) were recorded after 10 days of treatment. Accessions 215836, 215845, and 229722 and cultivars Urji, Bareda, and Axum were found Al-tolerant, while cultivars Tadesse, Padet, and Kumsa and accessions 212462, 215804, and 238323 were found Al-susceptible. ANOVA on RL indicated that the variance due to environment (42.3) was higher than genotypic variance (0.37). Whereas, the ANOVA on SL indicated the variance due to environment was not significant, and genotypic variance (0.18) was higher than environmental (0.02). RL was highly affected due to Al stress, while no distinct and visible symptoms were observed on SL. Furthermore, the screening of 328 accessions under 100 µM and the control resulted in Al-tolerant (n = 20), intermediate (225), and Al-susceptible (83). The results of the present study reveal that the presence of acid-tolerant accessions can be used as inputs for breeders to improve the productivity of finger millet in acidic areas.

Untangling the factors influencing finger millet production: Evidence from the Indian states

AbstractOur study focuses on the effect of agro‐based factors and human development indicators on the production of finger millet in eight states of India. Departing from the past studies, we employed the common and dynamic common correlated effects model, and our findings showed that the past year's finger millet production, productivity, area under finger millet production, rainfall and human development indicators positively influenced the finger millet production among the eight Indian states. The variable crop diversification has no impact on the production of finger millet. Overall result indicates the prominent role of human development assisting in the promotion of finger millet production. The empirical findings suggest corrective government policies in order to boost the overall production and consumption of finger millet at the macro level.