Impact of mechanization with improved technologies on germination and crop stand indices of foxtail millet (Setaria italica)

Authors

  • Keerthanan P Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2312-4861
  • Sivakumar S D Institute of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural Institute of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Kumulur, Tiruchirappalli 621 712, Tamil Nadu, India
  • A Vijayaprabakar Institute of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural Institute of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Kumulur, Tiruchirappalli 621 712, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3619-1796
  • R Karthikeyan Directorate of Crop Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6786-5899
  • A Surendrakumar Department of Farm Machinery & Power Engineering (AEC&RI), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5610-5184
  • R Sivakumar Directorate of Crop Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6941-9940
  • K P Ragunath Centre for Water and Geospatial Studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7851-4437
  • S M Vinodhini Department of Agronomy, Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tiruchirappalli 620 027, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7079-2167

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.7751

Keywords:

foxtail millet, improved technologies, mechanization, pelleting, sowing methods, supplemental irrigation

Abstract

Minor millets encompass more minerals and nutrients than other food grains. They are being cultivated in limited areas due to poor yielding ability and lack of improved technologies (pelleting, sowing methods, land configurations and supplemental irrigation). Mechanization has been adopted intensively by the farming community, for the last two decades for most of the crop production activities. In minor millet production, mechanization has not been adopted notably and there was no strong evidence for mechanization under the minor millet production system. The present research study assessed the establishment (germination, plant population, seed vigour index, seedling height and root length) of minor millet (Italian millet) under mechanization coupled with improved technologies. The strategies included Pelleting (PS) and Non-pelleting (NPS), land configurations (RF-Ridges and Furrow; CB-Compartmental Bunding; BBF-Broad Bed Furrow; FB-Flat Bed) sowing methods (DS-Drone Sowing; LS-Line Sowing and SDS-Seed Driller Sowing) and irrigation methods (MSI- Modified Surge Irrigation; RG-Rain Gun) for evaluation. A Randomized Block Design with three replications was used for the experiment layout during the Rabi season of 2023 and 2024. Observations were made and data subjected to ANNOVA and t-test. The results revealed that treatments IT-1, (FB+PS+DS+RG) recorded (P<0.05) significant higher germination per cent (48.67 %), plant population (88.40/m2), lower cost of sowing (Rs. 2100/-) and IT-7, (CB+PS+DS+RG) observed higher number of leaves (4.14), seed vigour index (2784.49), seedling height (7.03 cm) and root length (12.50 cm). Treatment IT-3, (BBF+PS+SDS+RG) registered (P<0.05) significant lower germination per cent, plant population, number of leaves, seed vigour index, seedling height and root length, registered treatment.

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Author Biography

A Surendrakumar, Department of Farm Machinery & Power Engineering (AEC&RI), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India

 

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Published

26-03-2025 — Updated on 01-04-2025

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Keerthanan P, Sivakumar SD, Vijayaprabakar A, Karthikeyan R, Surendrakumar A, Sivakumar R, Ragunath KP, Vinodhini SM. Impact of mechanization with improved technologies on germination and crop stand indices of foxtail millet (Setaria italica). Plant Sci. Today [Internet]. 2025 Apr. 1 [cited 2025 Apr. 2];12(2). Available from: https://horizonepublishing.com/journals/index.php/PST/article/view/7751

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