Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Early Access

Effect of improved Establishment Technologies (ET) on growth, yield, economics and energy use in Italian millet

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.8597
Submitted
31 March 2025
Published
13-07-2025
Versions

Abstract

Minor millets are small, seeded grains with enriched minerals and nutrients over other grain crops. Besides its nutritional quality, low yielding potential and lack of available technologies restricted its cultivation area. During the last few decades, most of crop-producing activities turned to mechanization except minor millets due to less focus on minor millet research. In this experiment, various establishment technologies were evaluated through mechanization with the objective of increasing foxtail millet (Italian millet) productivity. The treatments were formulated with various land management [(Ridges & Furrow (RF); Compartmental Bunding (CB); Broad Bed Furrow (BBF); Flatbed (FB)], sowing [Line sowing (LS), Sowing by drone (SD) and Machine sowing (MS)] and irrigation methods (Modified surge irrigation (MSI), Rain gun (RG)). The Randomized Block Design (RBD) was used to lay the experiment with 3 replications during the Rabi seasons of 2023 and 2024. Among the Establishment Technologies (ET), higher plant height was measured in ET-7 at 40 DAS (74.87 cm), 60 DAS (109.33 cm) and harvest stage (114.67 cm). Higher dry matter production of foxtail millet was recorded in ET-8 at 40 DAS (3772.40 kg/ha) & CT at 60 DAS (6035.87 kg/ha) and harvest stage (7541.90 kg/ha). In yield and economics parameters, ET-6 produced higher productive tillers (4.44/plant), grain yield (2340 kg/ha) & straw yield (4516 kg/ha) and it reflected on economic indices as higher net return (Rs. 47959) and benefit-cost ratio (1.65). ET-2 recorded the lowest values across all parameters during both the studies.

 

References

  1. 1. Pokharia AK, Kharakwal JS, Srivastava A. Archaeobotanical evidence of millets in the Indian subcontinent with some observations on their role in the Indus civilization. Journal of Archaeological Science. 2014;42:442-55. http:// doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2013.11.02
  2. 2. Kheya SA, Talukder SK, Datta P, Yeasmin S, Rashid MH, Hasan AK, et al. Millets: The future crops for the tropics-Status, challenges and future prospects. Heliyon. 2023;9(11):1-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22123
  3. 3. Ingrao C, Strippoli R, Lagioia G, Huisingh D. Water scarcity in agriculture: An overview of causes, impacts and approaches for reducing the risks. Heliyon. 2023;9(8):1-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18507
  4. 4. Gowda NA, Siliveru K, Prasad PV, Bhatt Y, Netravati BP, Gurikar C. Modern processing of Indian millets: A perspective on changes in nutritional properties. Foods. 2022;9(11):499. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11040499
  5. 5. Dixit P, Ravichandran R. The potential of millet grains: A comprehensive review of nutritional value, processing technologies and future prospects for food security and health promotion. Journal of Food Technology & Nutrition Sciences. SRC/JFTNS-195. 2024;6(1):2-8.
  6. 6. Gavit HD, Rajemahadik VA, Bahure GK, Jadhav MS, Thorat TN, Kasture MC. Effect of establishment techniques and sowing time on yield and yield attributes of proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.). Int J Curr Microbiol App Sci. 2017;6(5):1523-8. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2017.605.166
  7. 7. Pant C, Sah SK. Managing plant population and competition in field crops. Acta Scientifica Malaysia. 2020;4(2):57-60. http://doi.org/10.26480/asm.02.2020.57.60
  8. 8. Ashe G, Chanyalew S, Tadele Z, Bramberg B, Kaluser D. Seed pelleting effects on seed quality parameters in Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter].10(2):106-15.
  9. 9. Tiwari A, Kesarwani K, Sharma A, Ghosh T, Bisht N, Punetha S. Drought stress in millets and its response mechanism. In advances in plant defense mechanisms 2022:1-22. http://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.105942
  10. 10. Simic D, Pejic B, Bekavac G, Mackic K, Vojnov B, Bajic I, et al. Effect of different ET-based irrigation scheduling on grain yield and water use efficiency of drip irrigated maize. Agriculture. 2023;13(10):1994. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13101994
  11. 11. Sachdev N, Goomer S, Singh LR, Pathak VM, Aggarwal D, Chowhan RK. Current status of millet seed proteins and its applications: A comprehensive review. Applied Food Research. 2023;3(1):100288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afres.2023.100288
  12. 12. Raj S, Chaudhary S, Ghule NS, Baral K, Padhan SR, Gawande KN, et al. Sustainable farming and soil health enhancement through millet cultivation: A review. Int J Plant Soil Sci. 2024;36(3):222-33. https://doi.org/10.9734/IJPSS/2024/v36i34418
  13. 13. Das MK, Sarangi KK, Mishra SN, Mohapatra BP, Dash A. Analysis of resource use efficiency and constraints of cotton production in Odisha, India. Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics and Sociology. 2022;40(12):383-9. https://doi.org/10.9734/AJAEES/2022/v40i121806
  14. 14. Dhamodharan P, Somasundaram S, Thirukumaran K, Kavitha R, Ravichandran V, Anantharaju P. Energy efficiency and economic viability of mechanized and conventional cotton production systems under rainfed vertisols of Tamil Nadu. Journal of Agricultural Engineering. 2024;61(6):1009-23. https://doi.org/10.52151/jae2024616.1897
  15. 15. Madhu M. Soil and water conservation strategies for sustainable agriculture in changing climate scenario. Community Based Climate Risk Management through Watershed Development. 2022:1. Book-ISBN: 978-93-91668-06-8
  16. 16. PR R. Standardization of pellet size for mechanized sowing in foxtail millet (Setaria italica). Madras Agricultural Journal. 2020:107. https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.2020.000370
  17. 17. Dangol A, Shrestha A, Airi H, Kharel N, Thapa LB, Devkota A, et al. Germination and seedling growth of closely related native and invasive legume trees in Nepal. Journal of Ecology and Environment. 2024;48(3):296-307. https://doi.org/10.5141/jee.24.034
  18. 18. Kumar P, Pradeep KB, Begum SG, Kumar KA, Sumathi P. Feasibility studies on raingun method of irrigation system in groundnut. Agricultural Engineering Today. 2021;45(2):8-12. https://doi.org/10.52151/aet2021452.1533
  19. 19. Masilamani P, Venkatesan S, Navamaniraj KN, Rajarathinam P, Alagesan A, Thiagu K. Impact of the orientation of seed placement and depth of its sowing on germination: A review. Journal of Applied and Natural Science. 2023;15(1):314. https://doi.org/10.31018/jans.v15i1.4265
  20. 20. Piao L, Li M, Xiao J, Gu W, Zhan M, Cao C, et al. Effects of soil tillage and canopy optimization on grain yield, root growth and water use efficiency of rainfed maize in Northeast China. Agronomy. 2019;9(6):336. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9060336
  21. 21. Tang Z, Lu J, Xiang Y, Shi H, Sun T, Zhang W, et al. Farmland mulching and optimized irrigation increase water productivity and seed yield by regulating functional parameters of soybean (Glycine max L.) leaves. Agricultural Water Management. 2024;298:108875. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2024.108875
  22. 22. Reed RC, Bradford KJ, Khanday I. Seed germination and vigor: ensuring crop sustainability in a changing climate. Heredity. 2022;128(6):450-9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41437-022-00497-2
  23. 23. Zhao X, Mak-Mensah E, Zhao W, Wang Q, Zhou X, Zhang D, et al. Optimized ridge-furrow technology with biochar amendment for alfalfa yield enhancement and soil erosion reduction based on a structural equation model on sloping land. Agricultural Water Management. 2024;298:108866. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2024.108866
  24. 24. Qiao J, Li G, Liu M, Zhang T, Wen Y, Wang J, et al. Effects of different planting patterns on growth and yield components of foxtail millet. Agronomy. 2025;15(4):1-20. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040840
  25. 25. Sheta MH, Ghanem HG, Elzanaty TM, Mosaad IS, Fayed MH. Effect of surge flow irrigation on water use efficiency and maize production. Egyptian Journal of Soil Science. 2024;64(4):1601-16. https://doi.org/10.21608/ejss.2024.320331.1858
  26. 26. Holz M, Zarebanadkouki M, Benard P, Hoffmann M, Dubbert M. Root and rhizosphere traits for enhanced water and nutrients uptake efficiency in dynamic environments. Frontiers in Plant Science. 2024;15:1383373. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1383373
  27. 27. Ojha E, Adhikari BB, Katuwal Y. Nutrient management trial on foxtail millet at Sundarbazar, Lamjung. J Inst Agric Anim Sci. 2018;35(1):89-94.
  28. 28. Dev KN, Athokpam HS, Singh KK, Devi MA, Singh OG. Comparison of energy consumption for different sowing techniques and seed rate of direct seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) under medium land situation of Manipur. Int J Curr Microbio App Sci. 2020;9(3):328-36. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2020.903.039
  29. 29. Zhichkin K, Nosov V, Zhichkina L, Anichkina O, Borodina I, Beketov A. Efficiency of using drones in agricultural production. InE3S Web of Conferences 2023;381:01048. EDP Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202338101048
  30. 30. Ragesh KT, Jogdand SV, Victor DV. Field performance evaluation of power weeder for paddy crop. Current Agriculture Research Journal. 2018;6(3):441-8. http://doi.org/10.12944/CARJ.6.3.24
  31. 31. Rafiee S, Avval SH, Mohammadi A. Modeling and sensitivity analysis of energy inputs for apple production in Iran. Energy. 2010;35(8):3301-6. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2010.04.015
  32. 32. Paul RA, Arthanari PM, Peramaiyan P, Kumar V, Bagavathiannan M, Sabarivasan R. UAV-based herbicide application for efficient weed control and resource savings in direct-seeded rice. Crop Protection. 2025:107129. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2025.107129
  33. 33. Maj G, Krzaczek P, Gołębiowski W, Słowik T, Szyszlak-Bargłowicz J, Zając G. Energy consumption and quality of pellets made of waste from corn grain drying process. Sustainability. 2022;14(13):8129. http://doi.org/10.3390/su14138129
  34. 34. Jalu M V. Development and evaluation of solar-powered remote-controlled sprayer (Doctoral dissertation, JAU Junagadh); 2023.
  35. 35. Kahandage PD, Piyathissa SD, Ariesca R, Namgay, Ishizaki R, Kosgollegedara EJ. Comparative analysis of paddy harvesting systems toward low-carbon mechanization in the future: A case study in Sri Lanka. Processes. 2023;11(6):1851. http://doi.org/10.3390/pr11061851
  36. 36. Miodragovic R, Mileusnic Z, A Dimitrijevic. Energy consumption of the mobile irrigation systems. 2013.
  37. 37. Lal R, Kumar S. Energy security assessment of small Pacific Island countries–Sustaining the call for renewable energy proliferation. Energy Strategy Reviews. 2022;41:100866. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2022.100866
  38. 38. Iswarya S, Shanmugam PM, Somasundaram E, Chitdeshwari T, Suganthy M. Energy budgeting and efficiency analysis of organic cotton: A DEA approach. Indian Journal of Agricultural Research. 2024;58(3):389-97. http://doi.org/10.18805/IJARe.A-6121

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.