Popularizing Millet Cultivation: Optimising Crop Spacing and Identifying Suitable Variety of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) for Southern Laterites of Kerala

Millets are gaining popularity in the changing scenario of global climate, based on their ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, adaptability in marginal lands and also because of their nutritional significance. Standardisation of the agro techniques of pearl millet could lead to popularisation of the crop and experiment was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, KAU in identifying a suitable variety and optimum spacing for pearl millet grown in Southern laterites of Kerala. Five pearl millet varieties viz., ICMV 221, VPMV 9, MH 946, ICTP 8203 and CO 10 were experimented under two spacings i.e., 30 cm X 20 cm and 45 cm X 15 cm during Rabi, 2022 and Summer, 2023. Among varieties, CO 10 performed significantly better in terms of growth attributes, uptake of major nutrients and yield performance followed by ICMV 221 .The crop spacing, 30 cm X 20 cm exhibited significantly higher growth, nutrient uptake, and yield in comparison to 45 cm X 15 cm. The interaction effect of varieties and spacing was also significant with CO 10 performing significantly better growth, nutrient uptake and yield under 30 cm x 20 cm spacing. The study recommends cultivation of CO 10 in the southern laterites of Kerala under a crop spacing of 30 cm x 20 cm, optimum for growth and yield.