Small Millets Research Articles

Investigation of Finger Millet Floral Structure and Hand Emasculation

The knowledge of floral structure, floral biology and pollination behavior are pre-requisite for understanding the system and its manipulation for developing a proper crossing in which is largely lacking in small millets. The variability in floral structure and biology was studied in various finger millet genotypes. The inflorescence consisted of a cluster of variable number of spikes called fingers. Each finger has two opposite rows of spikelets. A spiklete contains variable number of florets. The florets are hermaphrodite, perfect except for the terminal florets. The floret is covered by two large glumes, enclosed between a pair of palea. The florets are in the axil of lemma. The androecium consists of three stamens. The gynoecium is bicarpellary, unilocular with superior ovary. Near the base of ovary two lodicules are present. There was a wide range of variation in the length of anther, filament, stigma and style. Anthesis occurred between 1.00 a.m. to 6.00 a.m., the peak period of anthesis being between 3.00 to 5.00 a.m. the pollen viability at the time of dehiscence of anthers ranged from 76.92 to 100 percent. Keywords: Emasculation, Finger millet, floral structure DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/13-14-01 Publication date: July 31 st 2022

Seed borne nematode of small millets: A review

Seed borne nematode of small millets: A review

Comparative performance of foliar application of urea and nano urea on finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn)

During the recent time, small millets are re-evaluated as ‘nutri-cereals’ because of their nutritional quality. Among various small millets, finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn) is of prime importance due to its potential in terms of production and productivity. Though finger millet is a less nutrient demanding crop, improved varieties respond well to added nutrients. Nitrogen is the most limiting macro-nutrient that determines the crop productivity. However, soil application of nitrogen in the form of chemical fertilizer might be subjected to different losses. Foliar application of urea is a well-known strategy to abate acute deficiency at any crop growing stage. Recent developments in the field of nano-technology and release of IFFCO nano-urea enhance the scope of nitrogen supplementation with increased efficiency. To evaluate the comparative performance of foliar application of urea and nano-urea in finger millet, a field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2021–22 at Experimental Farm of Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha. The experiment was laid out in a randomized completely blocked design (RCBD) with 11 treatments, replicated thrice. The results revealed that the treatment consisting of 40 kg N/ha + 2 sprays of nano urea @ 4 ml/L applied at tillering and pre-flowering stage was superior to the rest of the treatments in terms of growth, yield parameters and yield of finger millet. However, 20 kg N/ha+2 sprays of nano urea @ 4ml/L recorded at par results with sole soil application of 40 kg N/ha. Therefore, it was concluded that application of 20kg N/ha+2 sprays of nano urea @ 4 ml/L could be an economical and sustainable strategy to optimize the use of nitrogen in finger millet in southern Odisha.

De novo transcriptome analysis identifies key genes involved in dehydration stress response in kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.)

Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.) is a small millet species known for its excellent nutritional and climate-resilient traits. To understand the genes and pathways underlying dehydration stress tolerance of kodo millet, the transcriptome of cultivar ‘CO3’ subjected to dehydration stress (0 h, 3 h, and 6 h) was sequenced. The study generated 239.1 million clean reads that identified 9201, 9814, and 2346 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in 0 h vs. 3 h, 0 h vs. 6 h, and 3 h vs. 6 h libraries, respectively. The DEGs were found to be associated with vital molecular pathways, including hormone metabolism and signaling, antioxidant scavenging, photosynthesis, and cellular metabolism, and were validated using qRT-PCR. Also, a higher abundance of uncharacterized genes expressed during stress warrants further studies to characterize this class of genes to understand their role in dehydration stress response. Altogether, the study provides insights into the transcriptomic response of kodo millet during dehydration stress.

Growth and Decomposition of Millets in Odisha: 1960-61 to 2019-20

Background: Odisha started a programme to revive millets in 2017. Keeping this in the background, this paper examines growth of production, area and yield and decomposition of production of millets in Odisha in the last six decades by using triennium ending data, TE1962-63 to TE2019-20. Methods: Boyce’s kinked exponential method has been used to estimate growth for production, area and yield. Production was decomposed to area, yield and interaction effects. Millets as a crop group is compared with other foodgrain groups and then analysis was carried out for four specific millet crops - ragi, jowar, bajra and small millets. Result: In Odisha, the 1960s and 1970s indicate an increasing trend in production of and area under millets. There is a reversal of these trends since 1980s. The decline started first for small millets in the 1980s and subsequently since the 1990s for the three major millets - bajra, jowar and ragi. Decomposition of millets production indicates that the decline since 1980s is largely on account of area effect, but also because of yield effect in the 1990s and 2010s.

REVISITING THE STATUS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY IN ODISHA

The present study analyses the productivity growth performance of major crop categories grown across the state of Odisha from 1970-71 to 2019-20. For analysing growth performance and comparing yield of important crops in Odisha, the research applies statistical methods such as annual growth rate (AGR), compound annual growth rate (CAGR), and ordinary least square method (OLS) of regression. On the other hand, the coefficient of variation (CV) and the instability index (Cuddy & Valle, 1978) have been used to investigate the state’s crop productivity instability. The study reveals the fact that the selected categories of crops which include cereals, oilseeds, pulses, food grains, fibres and small millets have not been experienced with steady annual growth rate from 1970-71 to 2019-20 rather they have been featured with high volatility. Moreover, the high degree of instability is evident in productivity of specified crop categories in Odisha. To boost agricultural production rates, it is vital to emphasise agricultural research and development and ensure that research discoveries are easily accessible to farmers, particularly small and marginal farmers. JEL Code: Q10, Q19

Dynamics of Cropping Pattern in Cotton Growing Districts of Maharashtra

"Shifts in cropping pattern were analyzed with reference to cotton in major cotton growing districts of Maharashtra with the help of Markov chain analysis. The analysis revealed that in 14 among the 19 cotton growing districts, cotton area increased during the study period (2000-01 to 2017-18) while 5 districts experienced decrease in cotton area. Cotton crop was found to have high retention capacity in almost all the districts with a probability ranging from 0.53 to 0.98 among the cotton growing districts. The main crops that lost their area to cotton were pigeon pea, maize, black gram, soybean and other kharif pulses. Castor, small millets, groundnut and sunflower also lost their area to cotton. Crops like soybean, maize, pigeon pea, black gram and green gram also got area from cotton in some districts but the probability was very less. Stable and good prices, stable yield and easy to market are the reasons for preferring cotton over other crops. High cost of cultivation and non availability of labour are the major reasons for not preferring cotton crop."

Crop planning based on rainfall variability for Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, India


 Analysis of long-term rainfall data (1986-2018) of Bastar region revealed decreasing trend in total quantum of annual rainfall with varying frequency and distribution. The quantity of winter and summer rains decreased drastically during 2008-18 as compared to earlier two decades (1986-96 and 1997-2007). SW monsoon rain of 2008-18 was more than past two decades, whereas NE monsoon rain changed much in quantity except during 1997-2007. During 1986-96, the pre-monsoon shower was received in April, but later two decades the shower was received in May, which supports for summer ploughing and dry aerobic seeding. The cropping period almost synchronized between 22-43 standard meteorological week (SMW) reaching 93.11 mm per week as maximum rainfall. As the probability of 20 mm rainfall decreased from 75 to 50%, the crop yield got reduced by 30%. The mid-land rice with a probability of 13.47 to 16.07 mm rain per week supported growth phase during 17-21SMW. Whereas, upland rice maturing in 90-100 days could avoid dry spells, if the rice is managed by conservation furrows at the time of sowing. The summer ploughing is preferred with more than 40 mm rain in single day during March to April for mitigating dry spells. On the other hand, preparatory tillage and sowing were performed together in support of ripening niger and horsegram under probability of 75, 50 and 25% rain through crop planning. Maize and small millets reduced yield significantly when rainfall reached 75% deficit, whereas 25% deficit rain did not affect the yields.

Rapid Screening of Small Millet Varieties for Seedling Stage Drought Stress Tolerance

Aim: Drought is one of the most important abiotic stresses that affect the yield of crops globally. The present investigation was conducted to identify small millet genotypes tolerant to seedling stage drought stress.
 Study Design: The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications with genotypes and stress treatments as factors.
 Place and Duration of Study: It was carried out at Department of millets, Centre for plant breeding and genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, during 2019.
 Methodology: Ten varieties of various small millets, CO 7 (foxtail millet), CO 4 and ATL 1 (little millet), CO 15 and CO 9 (finger millet), ATL 1 and CO (PV) 5 (proso millet), MDU 1 and CO 2 (barnyard millet) and CO 3 (kodo millet), were used for the study. In vitro screening of the seedlings in Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)-induced water stress at four levels (0, -3, -5 and -7 bars) were carried out based on germination percent, shoot and root length, plant height stress tolerance index (PHSI), root length stress tolerance index (RLSI) and seedling vigour index (SVI).
 Results: Analysis of variance of the genotypes and PEG treatments revealed significant variation for genotypes, treatments and genotype x treatment interactions at P< 0.001. A declining trend for germination percent, shoot length and root length was observed as the stress levels were increased. However, at mild and moderate stress root length was slightly increased. Under mild (-3 bars) and high stress (-7 bars), CO 7 (foxtail millet) recorded the highest SVI percent over control values (165% and 65% respectively). Under moderate stress CO 4 (little millet) recorded the highest SVI (191%). The lowest SVI values under high stress, 4% and 8%, were recorded for ATL 1 (little millet) and CO 3 (kodo millet) respectively.
 Conclusion: Based on invitro screening of small millet varieties for seedling stage water stress, foxtail millet variety CO 7 and kodo millet variety CO 3 can be concluded as the tolerant and susceptible varieties respectively. Further a controlled field experiment may be carried out to understand the field level tolerance of the varieties and their growth stages to drought.

Millets as Nutre Cereals

Among the growing population (136.64 crs as per2019) many people experience scarcity of food and all. In the 2020 Global Hunger Index, India ranks 94th out of the 107 countries with sufficient data to calculate 2020 GHI scores. With a score of 27.2, India has a level of hunger that is serious (www.un.org/). The United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) predicts that the on-going COVID-19 pandemic will increase this number as developing countries are double-hit by disease and hunger (www.fao.org/2019-ncov/q-and-a/) Disruptions in global supply chains, economic consequences (i.e., loss of jobs and incomes), the ban on the export of agricultural commodities, and price increases are the major reasons for this crisis. Although much attention is being given to the development of vaccines, therapeutic molecules, and preventive measures to combat COVID-19, the invisible threat to the lives and livelihoods of marginal populations through hunger and malnutrition remains largely unaddressed. The focus of the 2019 Global hunger index on ‘The Challenge of Hunger and Climate Change’ underlines the impacts of changing climates on agriculture that include crop failures owing to problems such as seasonal fluctuations, increased insect and pest attacks, and broad-spectrum infection by potential pathogens (www.globalhungerindex.org/).Supplying food grains is an immediate measure to aid the affected population, whereas devising long-term plans to prevent such challenges is the need of the hour. That said, the possibility of a second and third wave of COVID-19 in the near future should not be ignored. In such a case, the UN World Food Programme predicts (UN-WFP; https://insight.wfp.org/) that death due to lack of food would outnumber deaths caused by disease infection. The importance of crop diversity and of mainstreaming underutilized crops that could serve as functional foods has been pointed out before; however, identifying the best candidates of underutilized crops and deploying crop improvement strategies to release better varieties is still in a nascent stage. Mayes et al. Other plant species, including tubers, legumes, and leafy vegetables, also fall within the criteria of underutilized species; however, emphasis is given to small millets because they are capable of reducing the overdependence on major cereals. Three major cereals, namely rice, wheat, and maize, cater for up to 60% of the global food requirements, and this is one of the plausible causes of food and nutritional inadequacies in the hunger hotspots where these crops are largely imported for consumption. Millets, although cultivated marginally in those regions, have the potential to address these inadequacies if their area of cultivation is increased and crop improvement strategies are devised and deployed.

WITHDRAWN: Comparative analysis of grain nutrient contents in six underutilized, climate-resilient and nutrient-dense small millets

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Occurrence and characterization of Bipolaris setariae associated with leaf blight of browntop millet (Brachiaria ramosa) in India

AbstractA new leaf blight disease of browntop millet (Brachiaria ramosa) was noticed during rainy season (Kharif) 2018 at small millet experimental field, University of Agricultural Sciences, Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra (GKVK), Bengaluru, India. To assess the disease severity, an intensive roving survey was conducted during the 2019 cropping season. Based on the morphological characterization, the causal agent of leaf blight disease was identified as Bipolaris spp. Further sequencing and combined gene analysis of ITS (internal transcribed spacer of rDNA), GAPDH (glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase) and LSU (large subunit) of all the nine isolates confirmed the pathogen as B. setariae. Pathogenicity study showed that all the isolates were pathogenic and caused leaf blight symptoms on browntop millet. The B. setariae isolates showed marked variability with respect to disease incidence on browntop millet (cv. Dundu korale) under artificial inoculation conditions. However, the host range was limited only to browntop millet and found non‐pathogenic to other six small millets examined. To our knowledge, this is the first completely described study on characterization of B. setariae causing leaf blight disease of browntop millet in India.

A Comparative study on Yield performance of Finger Millet Varieties under rainfed conditions in South Eastern Ghat Zone of Odisha

A Comparative study on Yield performance of Finger Millet Varieties under rainfed conditions in South Eastern Ghat Zone of Odisha

A new high yielding proso millet variety (Panicum miliaceum L.): PMV 442

A high yielding short duration new proso millet variety GPUP 25 was developed at Project Coordinating Unit, AICRP on Small Millets, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru for cultivation in Karnataka and other states in India during 2019 at central level and released as PMV 442. This variety is a derivative of a cross GPMS 109 and GPMS 908 developed by recombining the desirable characteristics of both the parents. This new variety matures in 70-75 days and has erect plant type with dwarf stature (85-90 cm), non- lodging, narrow leaves. Panicle is semi compact and medium sized. The grains are bold, oval shape and gray in colour. The grain of this variety contains calcium (26.0 mg/100 g), iron (6 mg/100 g seed) protein (7.41 %), and crude fiber (9.72 g/100 g). The variety GPUP 25 showed 29.78 and 16.39 per cent increased seed yield over the local check GPUP 21 and National check TNAU 145 respectively in Station trials. Likewise, in All India Coordinated Trials PMV 442 (GPUP 25) has showed superior performance in grain yield over national checks GPUP 21, TNAU 151 and TNAU 164 by 12.99, 23.73 and 12.44 per cent, respectively at national level. This variety has been released and notified in 83rd meeting of Central Sub -Committee on Crop Standards, Notification and release of varieties for agricultural crops held on 4th October 2019. This variety is recommended for cultivation in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana states.

Biotechnological approaches to dissect climate-resilient traits in millets and their application in crop improvement

‘Small millets’ is a generic term that includes all the millets except pearl millet and sorghum. These small or minor millets constitute eleven species that are marginally cultivated and consumed worldwide. These small millets possess excellent agronomic-, climate-resilient, and nutritional traits, although they lack popularity. Small millets withstand a broad spectrum of environmental stresses and possess better water-use and nitrogen-use efficiencies. Of note, small millets are five- to seven-fold nutritionally rich in terms of protein, bioactive compounds, micro- and macro-nutrients as compared to major cereals. Irrespective of these merits, small millets have received little research attention compared to major millets and cereals. However, the knowledge generated from such studies is significant for the improvement of millets per se and for translating the information to improve major cereals through breeding and transgene-based approaches. Given this, the review enumerates the efforts invested in dissecting the climate-resilient traits in small millets and provides a roadmap for deploying the information in crop improvement of millets as well as cereals in the scenario of climate change.

First Confirmed Report of Leaf Blight on Browntop Millet Caused by Bipolaris setariae in Southern Peninsular India.

Browntop millet (Brachiaria ramosa (L.) Stapf), which is native to the United States, was recently introduced into India as one of the small millet crop. In September 2018, leaf blight symptoms were observed on cv. Dundu Korale on the adaxial side of the leaves in a field at Bangalore, India (13.0784oN, 77.5793oE). Initial lesions were brown with small yellow halo that ranged from 1 to 5 mm and eventually enlarged exhibiting light brown centers. Afterwards, spots coalesced and leaves were blighted. About 75% of the plants were infected in the field of 0.5 ha. Samples of symptomatic and asymptomatic leaves were collected, and nine isolates were recovered from culture on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Single conidial isolation was performed. Colonies were grey to olive green with regular margins at 7 days when cultured on PDA at 27 ± 1oC and 16 h light and 8 h dark cycles. Conidiophores were single or in clusters from 4.92 to 6.04 μm in width. Conidia were fusoid, cylindrical to slightly curved ranging from 38.50 to 130 μm in length and from 8.30 to 17 μm in width, with 4 to 10 distosepta (n =100). Hilum was flat to inconspicuous or slightly protruded. Based on the morphology, the pathogen was identified as a Bipolaris species according to the genus standard descriptions of Helminthosporium (Alcorn 1988). Misra and Prakash (1972) reported that Helminthosporium setariae causing leaf spot on browntop millet in India, but they did not provide any morphological or molecular evidence of identification. For molecular identification, the genomic DNA of isolate BTMH3 was extracted and the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (GPD) were amplified using the pairs of primers ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990) and GPD1/GPD2 (Berbee et al. 1999), respectively. BLAST analysis of ITS (MT750301; 562 matching base pairs) and GPD (MT896702; 562 matching base pairs) sequences showed 99.82% of identity with sequences of Bipolaris setariae (Sawada) Shoemaker type strain CBS 141.31 (ITS: EF452444 and GPD: EF513206). Pathogenicity was proved by spraying 10 healthy 20-day-old browntop millet plants with conidial suspension (106 conidia/ml). Control plants were sprayed with distilled water. Plants were covered with transparent polythene bags in a greenhouse at 28 ± 2oC and high relative humidity of 90%. Symptoms were observed at five days post inoculation. The pathogen was re-isolated from infected areas using the same protocol as before, whereas the control plants were symptomless. The re-isolated pathogen was confirmed as B. setariae based on morphological characters and PCR assay. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf blight on browntop millet caused by B. setariae in the southern peninsular region of India. Disease specimen was deposited in Herbarium Cryptogamae Indiae Orientalis (HCIO), New Delhi, India with accession number 52209. Grain yield losses caused by leaf blight on browntop millet remain to be determined, however our findings indicate that cultivar cv. Dundu Korale is susceptible to B. setariae.

Insect fauna associated with small millets in mid hills of Uttarakhand

India is the largest producer of small millets, which are often referred to as coarse cereals. Various biotic variables significantly affect the output and productivity of these small millets and among them, insect pests are major production barriers that cause high crop losses from sowing to crop harvesting. Although the current status of all the pests affecting small millet crops in Uttarakhand is unknown but shoot fly and stem borer have been identified as major pests of small millets in mid hills of Uttarakhand. Major small millets growing areas as well as various trials conducted under AICRP on Small Millets at Ranichauri Centre, VCSG UUHF, Bharsar, Uttarakhand were surveyed at different crop stages in ten different locations during Kharif- 2019 and Kharif- 2020 to ascertain the status of insect fauna associated with the small millets. A total of sixteen species of insect pests damaging small millets from seedling stage to harvesting were reported. During survey, it was found that shoot fly caused infestation during early crop stage while stem borer induced infestation was noticed during the later crop stage. Shoot fly infestation contributed to stunted crop growth and side tillering with dead heart structure with potential to inflict damage up to 36.67 percent in state varieties of barnyard millet when control measures were not intervened at Gaja farm while stem borer infestation produced white ear heads and stem tunneling with maximum infestation of 33.33 percent in finger millet at Gaja farm and 20.00 percent infestation in barnyard millet at Gunogi village. Grasshopper caused infestation was in the range of 13.33 to 26.67 percent and 13.33 to 33.33 percent and aphid infestation ranged between 10.00 to 20.83 percent and 6.67 to 20.00 percent in finger millet and barnyard millet, respectively at different locations. The flea beetle, semilooper, chaffer beetle, sting bug and other pests were also reported in surveyed small millet crops as occasional occurrence. The present study thus contributed in the data available on insect fauna associated with small millets, major insect pests causing damage from seedling to harvesting stage along with average per cent infestation and their respective nature of damage and damaging stage in mid hills of Uttarakhand.

Incidence and Diversity of Stored Product Insects in Processed Millets

A study was taken up to know the incidence and diversity of various grain insect pests that attack processed millets retailed in the markets of Guntur district. Primarily processed millets of eight species (sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, foxtail millet, kodo millet, proso millet, barnyard millet and little millet) available in the markets were sampled for grain and insect populations and diversity indices were worked out. The indices indicated the existence of higher diversity of grain insects in millets. Out of the ten insect species noticed in all the millets together, sorghum and pearl millet recorded seven and eight insect species, respectively. Further, the results indicated that sorghum and pearl millet were more vulnerable to insect pest attack particularly by primary storage insects. In little millet and finger millet, the numbers of insects were negligible. Rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae (L.) was the most common species found in sorghum samples, whereas, meal moth Corcyra cephalonica (Staint.) and red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) were common in small millets.

ПСЕВДООЖИЖЕНИЕ СЕМЯН ПРОСА И ГОРОХА

One of the convective drying methods used to intensify the process of drying granular materials is the use of a device with a fl uidized bed. The essential advantages of fl uidized bed dryers are the uniform drying of all the particles in the bed and the ease of loading and unloading the material. The study goal was to conduct an experimental study of the hydrodynamics of the fl uidized bed of millet and pea seeds and the determination of the fi rst critical velocity (the rate of the beginning of fl uidization) based on these data. The authors took small (millet) and large (pea) seeds for the experiment. Based on the experimental data obtained, they constructed pseudo-liquefaction curves – ΔP = f (v) for millet and peas to determine the fi rst critical fl uidization rates (0.73 m/s for millet and 1.68 m/s for peas). The experimentally found values of the fi rst critical fl uidization rate were compared with the values calculated by the equations of O.M. Todes, Wen and Yu, and Grace. The study showed that all the equations provide an acceptable accuracy of calculations, but the accuracy of using the equation of O.M. Todes is somewhat higher. Therefore it can be primarily recommended for engineering analysis. The fi rst critical fl uidization rates, calculated according to the formula of O.M. Todes, were, accordingly: 0.69 m/s for millet and 1.60 m/s for pea. The calculation and experimental data on the fi rst critical fl uidization rates for millet and peas agree satisfactorily (the relative error for millet is 5.5%, for peas – 4.8%). The suffi ciently high accuracy of the fi rst critical fl uidization rates is explained by the correct geometric shape of the studied seeds, which is close to spherical. Therefore, the fi rst critical fl uidization speed of the studied seed material can be determined using the formula of O.M. Todes.

Analysis of Climate Sensitivity of Small Millets Yield in India

Analysis of Climate Sensitivity of Small Millets Yield in India