Eleusine Coracana (l.) Gaertn. - Finger Millet

Introduction

Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn., commonly known as finger millet or African millet, is a cereal crop that belongs to the grass family Poaceae. It is native to Africa but is widely cultivated in other parts of the world, including India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

General Appearance

Finger millet is an annual plant that grows up to a height of 1-2 meters. It has a slender stem that is usually green or reddish-brown in color. The leaves are long and narrow, with a length of 30-70 cm and a width of 1-3 cm. The flowers are small and arranged in clusters on the spike-like inflorescence, which can be 10-30 cm long.

Uses

Finger millet is primarily used as a cereal crop. The grains are ground into flour, which is used to make various traditional dishes, including porridge, bread, and biscuits. In India, it is used to make a popular snack called 'ragi mudde,' which is a type of dumpling. In addition to its use as a food crop, finger millet also has medicinal properties. It is rich in calcium, iron, and other essential nutrients, making it a suitable dietary supplement for people with nutrient deficiencies.

Finger millet is also used in the production of alcohol. In some African countries, the grains are fermented to produce a local beer called 'tonto.' The plant is also used as animal feed, particularly for cattle and poultry.

Conclusion

Overall, finger millet is an important crop that has been used for centuries for its nutritional and medicinal value. Its adaptability to diverse weather conditions and resistance to pests and diseases make it a promising crop for future global food security.

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Light Requirements

Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn. is a plant that is adapted to grow in areas with intense sunlight. As such, it requires full sun exposure to develop properly. This plant cannot grow in areas that receive little to no sunlight, such as shaded areas or regions with dense tree coverage.

Temperature Requirements

This crop thrives in warm climates with temperatures that range from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius. It is sensitive to frost and cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. The plant requires warm temperatures throughout the growing season to mature properly.

Soil Requirements

Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn. prefers sandy or loamy soils that are well-drained. It can tolerate acidic soils with pH levels between 4.5 and 7.5. The plant does not grow well in heavy clay soil that retains water. Furthermore, the plant requires soil that is rich in organic matter to allow for proper growth.

Cultivation

Eleusine coracana, also known as finger millet, is a warm-season crop that requires a fertile, well-drained soil for optimal growth. The plant is best grown in full sun and can be propagated through seed or transplantation.

To propagate through seed, the seeds should be sown in shallow furrows at a depth of 1-2cm and spaced at a distance of 10-15cm. The best time for sowing is during the rainy season when the soil is moist enough to support germination and early growth.

If transplanting, it's recommended to grow seedlings in a nursery and transplant them when they are 4-5 weeks old. The seedlings should be spaced at a distance of 30-45cm between plants and rows.

Watering needs

Finger millet requires an adequate water supply throughout the growing period to ensure maximum yields. During the early stages of growth, the plant should be frequently watered to maintain soil moisture and ensure good germination. The frequency of watering should be reduced gradually as the plants grow older.

During the dry season, regular irrigation should be done every 5-7 days, while during the rainy season, irrigation should be reduced to once or twice a week, depending on the amount of rainfall received.

Fertilization

The plant requires a balanced supply of nutrients to achieve optimal growth and yield. A soil test is necessary to determine the appropriate fertilizer application rate.

However, finger millet generally needs a soil pH of between 6.0 and 7.5. Fertilizers rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium should be applied in the right proportion to support plant growth.

Nitrogenous fertilizers should be applied in two split doses, the first at sowing and the second after 30-40 days. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied at the time of planting.

Pruning

Finger millet does not require much pruning, but it benefits from early removal of weeds to prevent competition for nutrients and sunlight. Weeds can be removed manually, or using herbicides.

Also, keeping the base of the plant free from debris and dead leaves can help reduce pest infestation and promote air circulation around the plant, resulting in higher yields.

Propagation of Eleusine coracana

Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn., also known as finger millet, is a hardy cereal crop that is widely cultivated in Africa and Asia. The plant is usually propagated using both vegetative and sexual methods.

Vegetative Propagation

Vegetative propagation is the process of producing new plants from vegetative parts of the parent plant. In Eleusine coracana, this is usually done by stem cuttings or tillers.

Stem cuttings are obtained by cutting a section of the stem with at least one node and planting it in a suitable medium. The cutting should be about 10-15 cm long and planted in moist soil or sand. Roots will form at the base of the cutting, and a new plant will emerge.

Tillers, on the other hand, are lateral shoots that emerge from the base of the plant. They can be separated from the parent plant and planted separately to form new plants.

Sexual Propagation

Sexual propagation is the process of producing new plants from seeds. Eleusine coracana produces small, light brown seeds that are about 2-3 mm in diameter. The seeds can be harvested when the plant is mature, dried, and stored for future use.

The seeds can be sown directly in the field, after land preparation and weeding. Alternatively, they can be sown in seedbeds to allow for better control of environmental conditions. The seeds should be sown at a depth of about 2-3 cm and covered with soil or sand. Germination usually occurs within 7-10 days.

It is essential to maintain adequate moisture levels during germination and early growth stages. The seedlings can be transplanted to the main field after 3-4 weeks or when they have developed strong roots.

Disease and Pest Management for Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.

Eleusine coracana, commonly known as finger millet, is an important crop in many parts of the world due to its high nutritional value and adaptability to various environments. However, like all plants, it is susceptible to diseases and pests that can significantly reduce yield. Effective management of these problems is crucial for successful cultivation of finger millet.

Common Diseases

Some common diseases that affect finger millet include blast, smut, rust, and downy mildew. Blast is caused by the fungus Magnaporthe grisea and can result in severe yield losses. Smut, caused by the fungus Tolyposporium penicillariae, can infect the inflorescences and reduce grain quality. Rust, caused by Puccinia eleusine, can cause yellow or brown rust spots on the leaves and stems, leading to defoliation and reduced photosynthesis. Downy mildew, caused by Peronosclerospora sorghi, can reduce yield and quality if not managed properly.

Disease Management

Prevention is key to managing diseases in finger millet. Planting disease-resistant varieties and using certified disease-free seeds are important measures to reduce the risk of infection. Crop rotation can also help to break the disease cycle. In case of an outbreak, fungicides such as maneb, copper oxychloride, and propiconazole can be applied to control the spread of the disease. Proper sanitation practices such as pruning affected plant parts and removing crop debris can also help to reduce the source of inoculum.

Common Pests

The major pests that attack finger millet include stem borers, armyworms, termites, and birds. Stem borers, such as Chilo partellus and Sesamia calamistis, bore into the stems and cause wilting and lodging of the plants. Armyworms, such as Spodoptera frugiperda, can strip the leaves and damage the inflorescences. Termites can cause damage to the roots and reduce plant growth. Birds can also feed on the grains and cause significant losses.

Pest Management

Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies are recommended to manage pests in finger millet. This includes cultural practices such as planting resistant varieties, intercropping with non-host crops, and maintaining proper plant nutrition. The use of biological control agents such as natural predators and parasites, and biopesticides such as neem and pyrethrin, can also be effective in reducing pest populations. In severe cases, chemical control using insecticides such as carbaryl and lambda-cyhalothrin can be applied but should be used judiciously to minimize negative effects on the environment.

By implementing effective disease and pest management strategies, finger millet farmers can achieve higher yields and better quality produce.