Scientific crop production techniquesfor foxtail millet in Bihar

Abstract

Foxtail millet (Setaria italic L.) is an annual cereal that is mainly cultivated as a rainfed crop in India. It is one of the ancient domesticated annual crops having diploid chromosome number and C4 photosynthesis. In India, the cultivation is mainly confined to Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and to some extent grown in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. It is extensively used as grain or flour for meal purpose while straw for fodder. Foxtail millet is mainly grown as rainfed crop in Bihar on upland condition. At present its cultivation is practiced on a limited area for household consumption due to low productivity and lack of marketing. Therefore, there is a need to expand the area of cultivation besides increasing its productivity with improved agronomic practices.