Performance of Fingermillet Variety ML-365 in Western Zone of Tamilnadu

Finger millet (Eleusine caracara) is one of the most important millet cultivated in Western Ghats of Erode district, Tamil Nadu. An attempt was made to improve the productivity of finger millet by adopting improved crop management practices in a participatory mode. The improved crop management practices comprised of new high yielding variety ML-365, seed treatment, integrated nutrient and pest management practices were demonstrated. The results showed that the mean grain yield of 2666.75 kg/ha recorded in ML-365 compared to 2100.4 kg/ha in farmers practice with yield advantage of 26.96% over the farmer practices. ML-365 recorded the mean straw yield of 3381.75 kg/ha than the existing variety (2577 kg/ha). The productivity per unit area has been increased by adoption of improved crop management practices. The results reveal that ML-365 variety was accepted by farmers mainly because of its yield & yield attributes.