Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L) Gaertn.) is a minor millet grown in the arid and semiarid tropics and subtropics for food and feed in Africa and Southern Asia, mainly in India and Nepal. Finger millet originated and was domesticated in Africa and Southern Asia. This cereal grain is prized for its high nutritional value, including significant amounts of calcium, iron, and dietary fiber, making it an essential component of the human diet in many developing countries.
Inflorescence resembles human fingers in structure. This characteristic aids in differentiating the two subspecies of the plant, dentifi, and coracana, which are further subdivided into several races (Dida & Devos, 2006). According to several studies, it is considered one of the most easily digested and least allergic grains (Mahantghi and Sudha., 2012; Singh and Raghuvanshi., 2012; Shobana et al., 2013). For those with celiac disease, finger millet is a viable alternative because it is gluten-free.
Furthermore, this crop is highly resilient to drought, which makes it suitable for cultivation in regions with low and erratic rainfall. Finger millet also helps in soil conservation due to its extensive root system, which prevents soil erosion and improves soil structure.
How to grow finger millet? - From land selection and preparation to weed management and irrigation.
Site selection, Soil preparation and Sowing
Finger millet can be grown on a range of soil from rich loam to poor shallow soils. Black soil with good drainage can also be used for cultivation. It is grown best in soil having pH 4.5-8. Soils with water logging problems are not suitable for cultivation. Crop rotation should be followed before growing finger millet in a field. This will help obtain high yields, minimize chemical fertilizer use, and help maintain soil fertility. Crop rotation with any pulses or any other crop, viz., gram, barley, linseed, tobacco, and mustard, can be followed. In some regions, finger millet is grown with another crop as an intercropping, viz., finger millet + soybean in Kharif and oats in Rabi generally followed.
In April or May, start with one deep plowing using a mouldboard plow, followed by two additional ploughings with a wooden plow. Before sowing, performing secondary tillage with a cultivator and a multiple-tooth hoe is crucial to creating a smooth seedbed. Minor land leveling before sowing can enhance in-situ moisture conservation.
Since finger millet seeds are very small (about 400 seeds per gram) and take 5-7 days to germinate, proper seed selection and thorough land preparation are essential. This not only improves germination rates but also minimizes weed issues and enhances soil moisture retention. For direct seeding of finger millet, create a well-pulverized seedbed. Apply 5 tons per hectare of farmyard manure (FYM) or compost and incorporate it well into the soil along with fertilizers before sowing. For line-sown crops, sow seeds in rows 22.5 cm apart, using a seed rate of 10 kg per hectare, which is sufficient for this method.
Nursery preparation
To raise seedlings for transplanting over 1 hectare, prepare a nursery bed in a well-prepared area of 500 square meters. Enrich the nursery soil with 18- 20 baskets of farmyard manure (FYM) and a small dose of balanced fertilizer to promote rapid and healthy seedling growth.
Transplanting: Line sowing offers significant advantages, including easier inter-cultivation and more effective weed control. Maintaining an optimal plant population of 4 to 5 lakh plants per hectare is crucial for maximizing yield.
Before sowing, manure and fertilizers should be applied during land preparation to enhance soil fertility and support healthy plant growth. For transplanting, use close spacing: 20 x 10 cm for early-maturing varieties and 30 x 15 cm for medium-duration varieties. As you draw the next furrow, ensure that the base of each plant is covered with soil, which helps in anchoring the plants securely.
Shallow planting, within a depth of 5 cm, encourages quick establishment and promotes better tillering, leading to stronger, more productive plants. Under optimal conditions, the seedlings will be ready for transplanting within 25 to 30 days. For transplanting 1 hectare, approximately 8 to 10 kg of seeds will be required, ensuring a sufficient number of robust seedlings for effective field establishment.
Fertilization of Finger Millets
For optimal results, it is advisable to apply fertilizers based on soil test recommendations, which ensure that nutrient application matches the specific needs of your soil and crop.
Apply 40:20:20 kg/ha of NPK to short-duration varieties grown under rainfed conditions. For short —and medium-duration varieties grown under irrigated conditions, increase the application to 60:30:30 kg/ha of NPK. Nitrogen should be applied in two splits: 50% as a basal dose at sowing and 50% as a top dressing just before the first hoeing and weeding. This timing allows the nitrogen to be incorporated into the soil during these cultivation practices, enhancing its effectiveness.
Apply the entire dose of phosphorus (P₂O₅) and potassium (K₂O) at the time of sowing, ensuring these essential nutrients are available to the plants from the beginning of their growth cycle.
Weed Management in a Finger Millet Field
Early-stage weeding is crucial for achieving high yields in direct-seeded crops. The first hoeing and weeding should be carried out 2 to 3 weeks after sowing. If needed, a second weeding can be performed 15-20 days after irrigation to ensure thorough weed control. In the case of the transplanting method, one-hand weeding or mechanical weeder at 30 days after transplanting and 60 days after transplanting is recommended.
In areas with assured rainfall or under irrigation, consider the following weed management strategies, but always use agrochemicals after consulting a local licensed agronomist:
Pre-emergence weed control:
- A pre-emergence spray of isoproturon with 0.5 kg of active ingredient per hectare is applied in rainfed areas.
- In irrigated areas, use Oxyfluorfen at 0.1 liters of active ingredient per hectare.
Post-emergence weed control:
- Apply a post-emergence spray of 2,4-D sodium salt at 0.75 kg active ingredient per hectare. Spraying around 20-25 days after sowing effectively controls emerging weeds.
Implementing these practices will help manage weed pressure, allowing the crop to establish and grow vigorously, leading to better yields.
Finger Millet Irrigation Needs
Excess irrigation and waterlogging should be avoided. In Rabi and during the summer, the c,rop can be irrigated at 20-25 intervals of days interger millet is an invaluable crop for sustainable agriculture, particularly in regions with challenging climatic conditions. Its nutritional benefits and adaptability to poor soils and low rainfall make it a key player in ensuring food security and promoting health in many parts of the world. With proper cultivation practices, finger millet can significantly contribute to agricultural sustainability and rural livelihoods.
References:
- Recommended package of practices- IIMR
- Dida, M.M., Devos, K.M. (2006). Finger Millet. In: Kole, C. (eds) Cereals and Millets. Genome Mapping and Molecular Breeding in Plants, vol 1. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-34389-9_10
- Mathanghi, S.K., and Sudha, K. (2012). Functional and phytochemical properties of finger millet for health. Int. J. Phar. Chem. Biol. Sci. 2, 431-438. doi:10.1007/s13197-011-0584-9.
- Singh, P. and Raghuvanshi, R.S. (2012) Finger Millet for Food and Nutritional Security. African Journal of Food Science, 6, 77-84. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJFSX10.010
- S. Shobana et al. Finger Millet (Ragi, Eleusine coracanaL.): A Review of Its Nutritional Properties, Processing and Plausible Health Benefits. Adv. Food Nutr. Res.(2013).
- https://agritech.tnau.ac.in/agriculture/millets_ragi.html
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