Bajra is an important kharif crop of Mathura which occupies more than 40000 ha area and
grown in almost every block of Mathura. Its productivity as reported by department of
agriculture is 14.65q per hectare. Its production and productivity can be enhanced by using
scientific management practices.
1. Selection of Soil : Sandy loam and light or loam soils with proper drainage are
considered as best.
2. Field Preparation : Prepare the field by doing 1st ploughing with mould-bold plough
followed by 2-3 ploughing with cultivator to pulverise the soil.
3. Important Varieties : Two types of varieties remain available for sowing of Bajra
commonly referred as Composite and hybrid varieties. The important composite
varieties suitable for the district are : ICMB-155, WCC-75, ICTP-8203, Raj-171,NDFB3,and Dhanshakti etc. Among hybrid Pusa-322,Pusa-23, ICMH-451,Kaveri(KSB),Super
Boss,Boss-65 Fauzi, Pioneer 86M84,Tata-Dhanya, GK-1111,GK-1200 Bullet and MP7888 etc.
4. Seed Rate: 4-5 kg seed per hectare is required.
5. Sowing Time and Method : For grain Bajra should be sown from july to mid august
and for fodder purpose it can be sown from last week of june to first week of july’.
Bajra should be sown at the depth of 4cmin lines with a spacing of 45cm.
6. Seed treatment : Treat the seed with thiram or cabendazim @2-2.5gm per 1kg of
seed before sowing to avoid seed borne diseases. To manage Ergot treat the seed in
20% salt solution.
7. Fertilizer Management : Use balance fertilizers as per the soil test basis. Generally
for hybrid varieties 80-100kg nitrogen,40-50kg phosphorous ,and 40kg potash is
recommended, while composite varieties needs 40-50kg nitrogen, 25kg
phosphorous ,and 25kg potash per hectare. Use full dose of phosphorous and potash
and half dose of nitrogen as basal dressing and the remaining dose of nitrogen
should be applied after 25-30 days after sowing as top dressing.
8. Thinning and Gap filling : It is an important operation to be done after 10 days of
sowing. Transplant the plant from high density area to poor germination area and fill
the gap to maintain crop geometry and population.
9. Weed Management : Weeding and earthing is done manually with khurpi after 15
and 30-35 days of sowing It helps in proper aeration and good establishment of crop.
TO control weed in with chemicals, the following weedicides can be used : Use
Atrazine @1.25kg per hectare in light to medium soils within 48 hours of sowing. For
very hardy weeds add Pendamethylene 30EC @2.5 litres with atrazine to control
weeds.
10. Irrigation Management : Bajra crop is highly susceptible to moisture specially at the
tims of flowering and grain formation ,thus, if rain fails two irrigations on these
stages must be provided.
11. Plant Protection : (Major Diseases): Ergot : It is a serious disease of bajra in which
scalars are developed in the ears and black powder is formed in grains with the
eruption of slesma (honey like sticking liquid ) from the affected ears. To manage this
disease treat the seed before sowing with chemicals or 20% salt solution. Use
Zeerum 80% WP or Zeneb 75% WP 2kg or Mencozeb 75% WP @ 2kg per hectare.
Bajra Smut : Black poweder is formed in grains. To manage this disease treat seed
and use fungicides as recommended for ergot.
Ear Kokkle/green ear disease: In this disease the whole bajra ear converts into green
leave and de-shaped which finally looks like a broom. To control this disease use 2
sprays of carbendazium 50% WP or Thiophinate methyl 70% WP @ 2gm per litre of
water at an interval of 10 days.
Important Insects & Pests : Termites: Use chloropyriphos 20% EC @ 2.5 litre in
standing crop with irrigation water.
Nematodes : Use 10kg forate 10G before one week of sowing in soil.
Stem borer : Use Cabofuron 3G or Forate 10G @ 20kg or spray Di methoate 30%EC
1 litre or Quiolphos 25%EC 1.50 litre per hectare.
Shoot borer : Use Cabofuron 3G or Forate 10G @ 20kg or spray Di methoate 30%EC
1 litre or Quiolphos 25%EC 1.50 litre per hectare.
Thrust Points : Select the variety suitable for your condition.
Treat the seed before sowing.
Use fertilizers as per soil test basis.
Irrigate the crop at flowering if rain fails.
Proper management of Insects pests and diseases in time