Bajra is an important crop of Haryana. It has the capacity to survive at higher temperature and in drought conditions. It is also palatable fodder for animals. Following recommended package f practices should be adapted for higher production.

Soil :
Well drained, sandy loam soil is suitable for Pearl Millet cultivation, Ploughing with desi plough or cultivator pulverizes the soil and make it fit for Bajra cultivation.

Sowing Rate:
15 kg top quality seed is sufficient for 1 acre sowing seed rate may be increased upto 2 kg in salty soils. Sowing of Bajra at 2.5 cm deep with 30x12 cm distance from line to line and plant to plant is advisoable. Soaking seed for 2 to 3 hours before sowing helps quicker germination.

Thinning and Transplanting :
A nursery of Bajra should be ralsed simultaoneously with sowing. Proper plant to plant distance should be maintained by thinning. Gap filling should be done with nursery raised.

Fertilizer :
Fertilizer should be applied on the basis of soil testing report otherwise following quantities of fertilizer should be applied:

Variety Quantity of Fertilizer kg/acre

Urea DAP

Hybrid Bajra (Irrigated) 100 50

Hybrid Bajra (Rainfed) 32 24

Half of the Nitrogen and full quantity of phosphorous shold be added in the soil at the time of sowing. Balance quantity of Nitrogen should be splitted and may be applied at the time of thinning and earing stage. One packet of Azotobactor crocasem (Mec 68) helps Nitrogen fixation in the soil and this becomes essential for light soils.

Weed control :
Weeds can be eradicated after 2 to 3 week of sowing by hand hoe of otherwise. Proper moisture may conserved by hand hoe. 400 ml Atrozine 50% W.P. in 250 litre water at pre-emergence stage of within 7 days after germination controls weeds in Bajra crop.

Irrigation :
Tillering, flowering and milking stages are critical stages in Bajra. Water deficiency on these stages may cause irreparable losses. Do not irrigate field with salty water.

Plant Protection :
1 kg Zinc Sulphate with 5 kg Urea in 200 litre water be supplied if Zinc deficiency symptumappears.

•  White Grub : C type white Grub damages Bajra roots. 500 gm Qulnolophos 20 EC or 500 gm Carbaryl W.P. in 120 litre water should be sprayed to control white Grub.

Diseases :

Downy mildew (Green ear disease):
The plants affected by Downy mlldew remains stunted with yellowing of leaf and powdery formation appears on the dorsal side of leaf. Affected plant should be rogued out and spray of 400 to 500 gm/ Mencozed is advisable. Seed treated with thirum 2 gm/kg should be sown.

Ergot :
Ears of affected plants oozises out pink substance which turns brown and found fatal for human. Affected plant should be rogued out. Seed should be sown duly treated with Metalxyl @2 gm/kg

Grain Smut :
Grains in the ear of affected plants converts into black sporse. Affected ears should be removed and buried in the earth. Seed used for sowing should be well treated with brine solution.