indings in agricultural research and management ( farm...

ResearchArticle

Performance of Pearl Millet Hybrid MPMH 17 at Farmers’ Fields

Moola Ram*, Manoj Kumar and S. R. Kumhar Agricultural Research Station, Mandor, Jodhpur – 342304, India

*Email of corresponding author: [email protected] Introduction Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L) R.Br.emend.Stuntz) is an important food crop in areas with low rainfall and shallow soils. Being short in duration, it is the most drought-tolerant millet grown in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world (Bhagavatula et al. 2013). It is one of the most important sources of staple food and fodder in the predominantly rainfed areas of the country. Its grain has very high nutritive value for human consumption and livestock also relish its straw, both in fresh and dried forms. Pearl millet area marginally declined from 9.02 million ha in 1950-51 to about 7.2 million ha by 2017-18 in India (Anonymous, 2018). But its production increased from 2.6 million tons in 1950-51 to 9.26 million tons in 2017-18. This rapid increase was possible because of trebling of productivity from 288 kg ha-1 in 1950-51 to 1155 kg ha-1 in 2015-16. It is largely a rainfed crop, except when it is grown as a summer irrigated crop. Overall, only 10% of the pearl millet area is irrigated in India. A rapid increase in pearl millet yield was possible because of the introduction of hybrids in all the regions, perhaps with the exception of West Rajasthan where landraces/OPVs are still grown due to an extremely risky production environment (Kumara et al., 2016). But recently, pearl millet hybrid MPMH 17 was

Front Line Demonstrations in 30 hectares area were conducted during Kharif 2017 in Jodhpur and Barmer districts in the state of Rajasthan to demonstrate improved Package of Practices (PoP) of pearl millet cultivation at farmers’ fields to enhance the productivity of the crop. The seed of pearl millet hybrid MPMH-17 (produced at ARS, Mandor and ARS, Keshwana) was distributed to 27 identified farmers of Dheerpura village of Balesar tehsil in Jodhpur and 13 farmers of Samdari tehsil in Barmer district. Improved practice included use of improved hybrid, seed treatment, use of recommended dose of fertilizers, use of micronutrients Fe & Zn (20 kg/ha each of FeSO4 and ZnSO4), line sowing, maintaining recommended spacing, chemical weed control and use of plant protection measures. Overall, 19.5% higher grain yield was obtained due to hybrid variety MPMH 17 coupled with application of micronutrient (Fe & Zn) over local practice of pearl millet cultivation. The increase in Jodhpur district was low (17.7%) as compared to Barmer district (25.2%) because in Jodhpur, the hybrid MPMH 17 was so popular that it was grown in local practice by the most of farmers.

Findings in Agricultural Research and

Management (FARM) Journal Volume-2, Issue-1, January-March, 2018

Available online at www.farmjournal.info Published on 31st March, 2018 © 2018 farmjournal.info

Creative Commons-BY-NC eISSN: 2321-0001

eISSN: 2581-3285

FARM Journal ISSN: 2581-3285 22

ResearchArticle

Ram et al., 2018, FARM Journal, 2(1): 22-27

developed at All India Coordinated Research Project on Pearl Millet (AICRP on Pearl Millet), Agricultural Research Station, Mandor, Jodhpur (Rajasthan) which has shown wide adaptability even in harsh climatic situations of Western Rajasthan. MPMH 17 is a dual-purpose hybrid of pearl millet providing high grain and stover yields (Rajpurohit et al., 2013; Anonymous, 2017). It is a cross between male-sterile line ICMA04999 (female parent) and restorer MIR 525-2 (male parent). According to results of trials tested in the All India Coordinated Pearl Millet Improvement Project during 2009-2011 at 57 locations (18 locations each in 2009 and 2011; and 21 locations in 2010) along with four checks viz., Pusa 23, ICMH 356, GHB 744 and RHB 121, on an average, MPMH 17 provided grain yield of 2835 kg/ha and stover yield (64q/ha) which was 10-40% higher than yields of four checks (Anonymous, 2017). Another distinctive advantage of MPMH 17 is its high level of resistance to downy mildew and blast, two most important diseases of pearl millet. The hybrid MPMH 17 matures, on an average, in 79 days and takes 48 days to flower. It is high tillering (2.7 panicles/plant) and produces very compact panicles of 22-24 cm length filled with medium sized grains (seed weight of 8.0 g/1000 grain) of globular shape and grey-brown colour. The hybrid attains the height of approximately 180 cm and produces panicles that are, on an average, 2.6 cm thick (Anonymous, 2017).

Conducting of front line demonstrations (FLDs) on farmers’ fields helps to identify the constraints and potential of the pearl millet in that specific area. Improved crop management can play effective dual role both in increasing the productivity and enhancing production stability (Kumar et al., 2010). Adoption of high yielding varieties under FLDs plays important role in the maximization of pearl millet production (Chaudhari et al., 2018). Looking to its grain and stover yields and disease resistance, MPMH 17 was tested at farmers’ fields as front line demonstrations on improved practices of pearl millet during Kharif season of 2017 to prove the advantages of a recommended practice over farmer’s practice.

Materials and Methods A total of 40 Front Line Demonstrations in 30 hectares area were conducted during Kharif 2017 in Jodhpur and Barmer districts in the state of Rajasthan to demonstrate improved Package of Practices (PoP) of pearl millet cultivation at farmers’ fields to enhance the productivity of the crop. The seed of pearl millet hybrid MPMH-17 (produced at ARS, Mandor/Kehwana) was distributed to 27 identified farmers of Dheerpura village of Balesar tehsil in Jodhpur and 13 farmers of Samdari tehsil in Barmer districts. A packet of 3.0 kg truthfully labeled seed of MPMH-17 was given to each farmer for sowing under improved practice in 0.75 ha area for comparing with farmers practice. Sowings at Dheerpura village, Balesar tehsil of Jodhpur district were taken up during 28th June to 6th July, 2017 whereas in Samdari tehsil of Barmer district sowings were done in late mid week of July, 2017. Improved practices included use of improved hybrid, seed treatment, use of recommended dose of fertilizers, use of micronutrients Fe & Zn (20 kg/ha each of FeSO4 and ZnSO4), line sowing, maintaining recommended spacing, chemical weed control and use of plant protection measures. Farmers’ practice included use of own seed or prevalent variety HHB 67-Improved without following PoP of the crop. The soils of the area were known to be poor in major as well as micronutrients. Total rainfall during Kharif 2017 was ranged between 380 to 430 mm, however distribution was not good as most of rainfall occurred in July month and during later part of the crop it was insufficient rainfall.


ResearchArticle


Results and Discussion All the 40 farmers obtained higher grain as well as fodder yields compared to their local variety and local practice of pearl millet cultivation (Table 1).

Table 1. Grain and fodder yields of pearl millet at farmers’ fields under improved practice and farmer’s practice S.

No. Name of Farmer Grain Yield (kg / ha) Fodder Yield (kg / ha)

Yield under improved practice

of FLD

Yield under farmer’s practice

Yield under improved practice

of FLD

Yield under farmer’s practice

Location:- Village-Dheerpura, Tehsil – Balesar, District - Jodhpur (Rajasthan) 1. Dashrath Singh 1600 1450 3080 2730 2. Anada Ram 1680 1230 3000 2820 3. Purkha Ram 1650 1515 3120 2870 4. Kamla Devi 1450 1250 2920 2570 5. Gavari Devi 1250 1075 2160 2010 6. Dipi Devi 1200 1060 2220 2160 7. Shanti Devi 1200 1070 2250 2310 8. Bhanvari Devi 1500 1385 2900 2550 9. Suman Lata 1550 1250 2960 2680 10. Lacho Devi 1250 900 2350 2175 11. Madhu Devi 1500 1365 2720 2440 12. Lila Devi 1160 990 2250 2000 13. Indra Devi 1300 1050 2760 2485 14. Bhana Ram 1400 1250 2650 2500 15. Nathu Singh 1500 1275 2700 2440 16. Bhagwan Kishore 1300 950 2550 2270 17. Swaroop Singh 1400 1050 2900 2350 18. Babu Ram 1420 1070 2660 2210 19. Laxman Kumar 1440 1260 2750 2460 20. Shailendra Singh 1410 1280 2670 2520 21. Poona Ram 1650 1400 3150 2745 22. Nepal Singh 1250 1090 2500 2450 23. Pokar Ram 1620 1370 3100 2730 24. Samundra Singh 1500 1330 2950 2500 25. Ajeeta Ram 1290 1145 2480 2255 26. Tikam Ram 1490 1280 2780 2530 27. Madan Lal 1630 1440 3230 2760 Mean 1429 1214 2732 2464 Location:- Village & Tehsil – Samdari, District – Barmer (Rajasthan) 28. Bhala Ram 860 610 1680 1340 29. Bhabut Ram 1100 895 1700 1350 30. Doulat Ram 880 705 1700 1450 31. Vasta Ram 950 770 1650 1300 32. Geela Ram 1140 1025 1820 1650 33. Dana Ram 1000 550 1700 1050 34. Arjun Singh 850 670 1550 1000 35. Joga Ram 1000 650 1800 1350 36. Chandra Ram 1080 1070 1740 1590 37. Babu Ram 1120 1020 1800 1660 38. Vikram Singh Sodha 1150 1100 1900 1650 39. Uka Ram 1020 840 1750 1500 40. Gajendra Singh 650 320 1400 690 Mean 985 787 1707 1352 Overall mean 1285 1075 2399 2103


ResearchArticle


Perusal of data in Table 1 revealed that over all yields obtained at farmers fields were satisfactory in all the Front Line Demonstrations. However low yields were recorded in Barmer district due to low and deficit rainfall received during the months of August and September coinciding the flowering, grain formation and grain filling stages of the crop. Overall, 19.5% higher grain yield was obtained due to hybrid variety MPMH 17 coupled with application of micronutrient (Fe & Zn) over local practice of pearl millet cultivation. The increase in Jodhpur district was low (17.7%) as compared to Barmer district (25.2%) because in Jodhpur district most of farmers grown same hybrid MPMH 17 under local practices also. Though present day farmers are also following package of practices to the extent possible but improved practice had yield advantage over farmers’ practice (Kumar et al., 2010; Jat and Gupta, 2014, Jat and Gupta, 2015; Parmar et al., 2016).

Improved Practice Farmer’s Practice

Pearl Millet Hybrid MPMH 17 at Flowering Stage at Farmers’ Fields


ResearchArticle


Conclusion

Pearl millet hybrid MPMH 17 can be a better choice to pearl millet farmers in both irrigated as well assured rainfed conditions of Rajasthan. Improved practice including application of micronutrients (Fe & Zn) can further enhance the yield of pearl millet under poor soils of Barmer and Jodhpur districts of Rajasthan. The present findings of performance of hybrid MPMH 17 could be used in selecting pearl millet hybrid by the farmers for a good yield.

References Anonymous (2017). Proposal for Identification Pearl Millet Hybrid MPMH 17 (MH 1663):

Mandor Pearl Millet Hybrid 17. Accessed online at http://www.icar-iirr.org/New_Proforma_for_VIC_Proposal.pdf

Pearl Millet Hybrid MPMH 17 at Harvesting Stage at Farmer’s Field

Pearl Millet Hybrid MPMH 17 at Grain Filling Stage at Farmers’ Fields


ResearchArticle


Anonymous (2018). Second Advance Estimates of Production of Food grains for 2017-18. Agricultural Statistics Division, Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. Accessed online at http://agricoop.gov.in/sites/default/files/2ND_ADV_EST_APY_201718_E.pdf and http://agricoop.nic.in/sites/default/files/CWWG%20Data%2029.09.2017.pdf

Bhagavatula S, Rao Parthasarathy P, Basavaraj G and Nagaraj N (2013). Sorghum and Millet Economies in Asia – Facts, Trends and Outlook. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics. Patancheru 502 324, Telangana, India, 80 pp. ISBN: 978-92-9066-557-1.

Chaudhari RP, Patel PM, Patel BM, Kumar Upesh, Darji SS and Patel SJ (2018). Performance of Summer Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) Hybrids under North Gujarat Conditions. Int. J. Curr. Microbiol. App. Sci. 7(01): 637-644. doi: https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.701.077

Jat BL and Gupta JK (2014). Pearl Millet Demonstration for Fodder Yield Gap Analysis in Dausa District of Rajasthan. Forage Res., 40 (1): 44-48.

Jat BL and Gupta JK (2015). Yield Gap Analysis of Pearl Millet through Frontline Demonstrations in Dausa district of Rajasthan. Karnataka J. Agric. Sci., 28(1): 104-106.

Kumar Anil, Kumar Ramesh, Yadav VPS and Kumar Rajender (2010). Impact Assessment of Frontline Demonstrations of Bajra in Haryana State. Indian Res. J. Ext. Edu. 10 (1): 105-108.

Kumara Charyulu D, Moses Shyam D, Bantilan Cynthia, Borikar ST, Gupta SK and Rai KN (2016). Pearl Millet Technology Adoption and Impact Study in Maharashtra. Research Report 71. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics. Patancheru 502 324, Telangana, India, 76 pp. ISBN 978-92-9066-581-6.

Parmar GM, Mehta Asha C, Acharya MF and Parmar SK (2016). Impact of Frontline Demonstration in Transfer of Pearlmillet Production Technology. International Journal of Agriculture Sciences, 8(2): 1417-1418.

Rajpurohit BS, Beniwal BR, Yadav OP, Khairwal IS, Bishnoi HR and Rathore MS (2013). A dual-purpose hybrid -MPMH 17. 73:466-467.


Cita

tion:

Ra

m M

ool

a,

Kum

ar

Man

oj

an

d K

umha

r S

R (

201

8).

Per

form

anc

e o

f P

ea

rl M

illet

Hyb

rid

MP

MH

17

at Farm

ers’

Fie

lds.

FA

RM

Jo

urn

al 2

(1):

22-2

7.

indings in agricultural research and management ( farm...

Documents