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Pearl millet, Bajra (Pennisetum typhoides)
Local names: Hindi: Bajara Telugu: Sajja Tamil: Cumbu Kannada: Sajje Marathi: Bajri
Pearl millet is the fourth most important grain crop next to rice, wheat and sorghum. The crop is cultivated for grain as well as fodder in the semi arid tropical regions of Africa and Asia including India. It is quick growing, disease resistant, high tillering fodder crop, suitable for sowing in arid and semi arid regions. It can be sown early in spring under irrigated conditions and in kharif under rainfed condition. It is not suitable in high rainfall areas. It does well even on light soils. It is sown alone or in mixture with guar or cowpea. Its cultivation and other particulars are like sorghum
Nutritive value
A1/3 and new hybrid varieties are good for fodder as well as for grain production. Fresh and mature pearl millet contains 7-10% crude protein and 36% crude fibre.
Varieties
Giant Bajara, APFB-2, Rajco, HB 3, 4, 5 are grain hybrids suitable for fodder production.