1. After completing this Lesson, you have learned to answer: 1.Describe the practiced systems of pearl millet sowing? 2.Which system of pearl millet sowing you recommend and why? 3.What are the different methods followed in pearl millet sowing? 4.What implements are used in pearl millet sowing? 5.What criteria should be followed in determining the amount seed required for sowing? Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices

2. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices After completing this Lesson, you have learned to answer: 6.What plant populations are recommended, for pearl millet cultivation? 7.What are the steps involved in estimating the required seed to establish a given plant stand? 8.How do you determine the spacing to be followed in pearl millet cultivation? 9.How do you determine the suitable conditions for sowing pearl millet in your field? 10.Under what conditions transplanting of pearl millet is practiced?

3. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Three systems of pearl millet sowing are followed: sowing on a flat surface, sowing on a ridge-and-furrow system, sowing on a broadbed-and-furrow system. Sowing on flat surface Ridge and furrow system

4. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices When seeds are sown using ridge and furrow system, the seeds are either sown at the bottom of the furrow or on the side or top of the ridge. Planting on the side or top of the ride is practiced in heavy rainfall areas and under irrigated conditions.

5. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices The broadbed-and-furrow (BBF) system has an advantage over flat sowing in draining off excess water, providing more soil aeration for plant growth, greater in-situ moisture conservation. easier for weeding and mechanical harvesting. Broad-bed and Furrow

6. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices The seeds are sown either by broadcasting seed manually, sowing behind country plough using pora, using an improved seed drill which may or may not be fitted with hoppers for fertilizer application, using mechanical seed drills attached to a tractor.

7. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Manual sowing by broadcasting the seed is practiced when the area to be sown is small. After broadcasting, the seeds are covered by running a brush harrow. The germination my not be uniform in hand sowing, and so one has to use a higher seed rate to get the optimum plant stand in the field.

8. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices A country seed drill called pora i.e. a wooden hopper attached to a hollow bamboo (Fig.) is used to sow the seeds in the shallow furrows opened by the tines of a country plough. A larger area can be covered with this method of sowing. Country seed drill

9. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices The best method is to sow the hardened seeds of pearl millet at 2.5 cm to 3 cm depth with seed cum fertilizer drill to ensure uniform depth of sowing and fertilizer application before the onset of monsoon. Seed cum fertilizer drill

10. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Seed rate The amount of seed required per unit area depends on: Optimum plant stand required per unit area Plant type i.e. tall or short plants Weight of seed Quality of seed in terms of germination.

11. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Seed rate Seed rate should be determined based on the optimum number of plants required in unit area (acre or hectare or sq ft or sq m) for good yields. The optimum plant population for pearl millet can vary between 150,000 to 250,000 plants/ha. If the plant population is on the higher side of 150,000 plants, the reduced panicle and seed size is compensated by the higher number of panicles per unit area.

12. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Seed rate The recommended plant stand for pearl millet under normal conditions is 180,000 plants per ha or 18 plants per sq m or 72,000 plants per ac. Under irrigation or high levels of management on highly productive soils, a population of 225,000 plants/ha (100,000 plants per ac) is recommended. On extremely sandy, droughty soils, a population of about 90,000 plants/ha (40,000 plants per ac) is desirable.

13. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Given: Pearl millet seed with 75% germination, 1000-seed mass of 12 g, and the required plant population is 180,000 plants per ha. Step 1 Since the germination percentage is 75, we need to adjust for this deficiency. Number of seeds needed to get 100 seedlings 100 x 100 ------------ = 134 seeds 75 Estimation of seed quantity per hectare:

14. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Estimation of seed quantity per hectare: Step 2 To get 100 seedlings, 134 seeds are required, then, the number of seeds required for 180,000 plants: 180,000 x 134 ----------------- = 241,200 seeds 100 Thus, 241,200 seeds are needed to establish 180,000 plants per ha.

15. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Estimation of seed quantity per hectare: Step 3 The quantity of seeds(seed rate) required for 241,200 seeds, based on 1000 seeds weight of 12 g. 241,200 x 12 g ------------------ = 2894 g or 3 kg 1000 seeds Thus, 3 kg of seeds are needed per ha to establish 180,000 plants per ha.

16. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Estimation of seed quantity per hectare: If germination % of seeds is not known, then the seed rate is determined by adding additional 20% of seeds to cover any seed germination problems. Example: Given: Pearl millet 1000-seed mass of 12 g, and the required plant population is 180,000 plants per ha. Step 1 Based on 1000 seed mass of 12 g 12 g X 180,000 plants ------------------------- = 2160 g or 2.2 kg 1000 seeds

17. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Estimation of seed quantity per hectare: If germination % of seeds is not known, then the seed rate is determined by adding additional 20% of seeds. Step 2 Based on 20% more seed requirement for any seed germination problem i.e 120% required 120 X 2.2 kg --------------------- = 2.64 kg of seed 100 Thus, 2.64 kg of seeds are needed per ha to take care of any seed problem and to establish 180,000 plants per ha.

18. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Seed rate The seed rate varies from 2 to 12 kg/ha. The seed rate in clayey black soils is usually 3 to 4 kg/ha, and in other soils it may vary from 6 to 11 kg/ ha. If seeds are carefully drilled, only 2 to 2.5 kg/ha will be sufficient.

19. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Seed rate But the weight of seed planted is not a good measure of population since seed weight varies considerably i.e. 5.5 to 14.5 g per 1000 seeds among various hybrids and improved varieties. Establishing optimum plant population in unit area is more important than the seed rate.

20. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Sowing distance The distance between row to row of plants, and plant to plant within a row can be varied depending on the method of sowing. However it should be remembered that the sowing distance determines the optimum plant stand requirement.

21. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Sowing distance In general, if ridges are formed 45 cm apart, then the plants should be 12 to 15 cm apart within a row. If broad bed and furrow method is adopted, then the plant rows will be 60 cm apart on the bed and the distance between plants should be 10 cm to get the optimum population.

22. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices If there are excess plants than the optimum plants (18 plants per sq m), then excess seedlings are thinned out when the plants are 12 to 15 cm in height. Any gaps found in the row could be filled by transplanting the plants available from the thinning operation. Thinning in Pearl Millet

23. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Sowing time Sowing time of pearl millet is important aspect in increasing the crop yield. Sowing time is also related with soil moisture and soil temperature, as well as distribution of rainfall. In general, the rainy season crop (kharif) should be sown immediately after commencement of monsoon and after having adequate moisture in the soil.

24. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Sowing time The seeds should be sown when there is moisture in the soil up to a depth of 5 to 7.5 cm. If irrigation facility is available, irrigating the field for sowing just before the onset of rainy season and thus advancing the sowing substantially increases pearl millet yield.

25. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Dry seeding of pearl millet one week in advance of monsoon (firm forecast) is recommended in Marathwada region of Maharashtra. As heavy and prolonged rains are generally harmful to flowering and maturing pearl millet, delayed sowing (July to mid-August) may be practiced in areas where the monsoon is prolonged. In north and central part of India, pearl millet sowing is done with the onset of monsoon and not later than 15 July.

26. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Sowing time Rabi crop is sown between 25 September and 15 October. Late sowing beyond October may result in poor germination and plant stand due to low soil temperatures. Soil temperatures should be at least 18°C. or warmer before pearl millet is sown. It germinates well at soil temperatures of 21 to 31°C.

27. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Sowing time In Tamil Nadu, the crop is sown in October with the onset of North-East monsoon. The summer sowings are done from second week of January to first week of March in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. This crop is grown under irrigation only.

28. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 3: Sowing of Pearl Millet Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Transplanting of pearl millet Pearl millet is also transplanted in some parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Gujarat. This practice is common under irrigated conditions. Pearl millet nurseries are raised in well fertilized raised seed beds. Healthy seedlings of 15 to 20 days old are planted in the water soaked fields. One-twelfth of ha of nursery is sufficient to supply seedlings to plant one ha main field.

29. The Lesson 3 on Pearl Millet Sowing Practices, and also this Module on Seeds and Sowing of pearl millet concludes. If you want to check your understanding about seeds and sowing in pearl millet, please click “Exercise” button in Module VIII contents Next, Module IX in this Course is about weeds and weed control in pearl millet. Select Module IX from Course contents Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Module VIII: Seeds and Sowing Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices