Spiked millet/Pearl millet

Season: Kharif
Soil type: Pearl millet can be grown in different soils. Loamy sand to loams which are well drained and non-saline and non-alkaline in nature are ideal for bajra. It does not grow well in soils prone to waterlogged conditions.
Seed rate: 2kg/acre
Seed treatment: Seed treatment with bio pesticides (Trichodermaharzianum@ 5g/ kg or thiram 75% dust @ 3 g/ kg^-seed. Seed treatment with 300-mesh sulphur powder @ 4 g/ kg¹seeds controls the smut disease.
Sowing time: Second fortnight of June to fort fortnight of July
Method of sowing: Three systems of pearl millet sowing are followed: (1) on a flat surface, or (2) using ridge and furrow system, or (3) on a broad-bed and furrow system. Line sowing behind the furrow or by using seed drill. Maintain a row spacing of 45 cm and plant to plant spacing 12-15cm. The seed should be sown at 2.5 cm – 3 cm depth
Intercultural operation: Thing at 10 DAS to maintain a spacing of 12-15 cm with in the row. First weeding at 15-20 DAS and second weeding at 45-50 DAS.As an alternate to manual weeding pre-emergence application of atrazine @ 0.5 kg/ha on the day following sowing in moist soil effectively controls weeds. Application of 2,4-D @ 0.5-0.75kg/ha at 4-6 weeks effective against broad leaved weeds.
Nutrient management: Basal (Urea 13kg + SSP 75kg +MOP 20kg), Ist top dressing at 15-20 DAS (Urea 26kg), IInd top dressing at 45-50 DAS (Urea 13kg) In zinc deficient application of 4 kg ZnSO4/acre is recommended. To correct the zinc deficiency in standing crop, spray of 0.2% ZnSO4 at tillering to pre-flowering stage is recommended.
Water management: Bajra is normally grown in rainfed ecology. Under prolonged dry spells, irrigation should be applied at critical stages of crop growth i.e. tillering, flowering and grain developmental stage, if water is available.
Harvesting: Harvest the crop at physiological maturity determined by the black spot at the bottom of the grain in the hilar region. Grain moisture content 12-14% is ideal for long storage.