Performance Evaluation of High-Yielding Pearl Millet Varieties Under Rainfed Condition in Theni District Tamil Nadu

Maheswaran Ponnumari^1*and Ramyasivaselvi Manoharan²

¹Department of Agronomy, ICAR Krishi Vigyan Kendra, CENDECT, Theni District, Tamil Nadu

²Department of Home Science, ICAR Krishi Vigyan Kendra, CENDECT, Theni District, Tamil Nadu

Corresponding Author E-mail: danushmahes@gmail.com

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CARJ.13.1.30

Article Publishing History

Received: 13 Dec 2024
Accepted: 12 Mar 2025
Published Online: 04 Apr 2025

Review Details

Reviewed by: Dr. Henry,Jevon
Second Review by: Dr. Subrata Mandal
Final Approval by: Dr. Denaxa Nikoleta-Kleio

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Abstract:

Bajra or pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is the third most important millet crop in the world in aspects of area and production, food and nutritional security. It is the fourth most important food crop grown in India, after rice, wheat and Maize.  During 2019-2020, it covers an area of 6.93 million hectares with 8.61 million tonnes of average production and 1243 kg/ha productivity. The main problem of the pearl millet growers in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu state is getting low yields (16.71 q/ha) under rainfed conditions due to the non-availability of high-yielding varieties and lack of knowledge about good agricultural operations. The present research planned to study the growth and yield performance of different short-duration and high-yielding pearl millet varieties in the rainfed region of the Theni district of Tamil Nadu. The highest yield was recorded in CO 10 (33.64 q/ha), followed by AHB 1200. This was due to the highest number of productive tillers and longest ear head length in CO 10. CO 10 recorded a higher yield (33.64q/ha) which was 40.75 % and 49.06 % higher than AHB 1200 and ICMV 2217.  Among the varieties, CO 10 recorded the highest net return of Rs. 54512. The benefit-cost ratio is the final and most impactful criterion from the farmer's side for adoption of the most benefitable technology and variety for sustainable livelihood.CO10 recorded a BCR of 4.31, followed by AHB 1200 (2.79). The farmer's practice (ICMV 2217) recorded the lowest BCR of 2.71. The field trial concluded that cultivation of the CO 10 pearl millet variety was highly suitable and a better choice for farmers in terms of better growth, higher yield and monetary return during the kharif season under rainfed conditions in Theni District, Tamil Nadu.

Keywords:

Income; On Farm Testing; Pearl millet; Rainfed; Yield

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