Proso Millet

Varieties

A number of varieties with high yield potential have been released for different states. The list of latest and popular varieties recommended for different states are given below

Season

• The rainy season crop is sown in onset of monsoon preferable in July.
• September –October in Tamil nadu and Andhra Pradesh
• Mid March-mid May in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh as irrigated catch crop
• It is chiefly grown in central and eastern Uttar Pradesh, western Bihar, North Eastern states and Andhra Pradesh

Spacing and Seed rate

Spacing:

25 cms between rows and 10 cm between plants within a row

Seed rate:

• 10 kg ha^-1 for line sowing
• 15 kg ha^-1 for broad casting

Manuring and Fertilization

• Apply 5 tones of farm yard manure per hectare 2-3 weeks prior to sowing.
• fertilizer required for different states is as follows

Weed Control

• Two inter cultivations and one hand weeding in line sowing
• Pre-emergent spray of Isoproturon @0.5 kg.a.i. ha^-1 in broadcasted crop

Cropping Systems

• Bihar and Uttar Pradesh: Intercropping of Proso millet + green gram in 2:1
• Western Bihar: Potato - Proso millet cropping sequence is profitable.

Diseases

There are no serious diseases on this crop.

Pests

Shootfly

Shootfly is the most serious pest of proso millet causing significant yield losses.

Control

Early sowing with the onset of monsoon is an effective and cheapest method of control.

Source : Indian Institute of Millets Research