Pearl Millet Research Station

Junagadh Agricultural University

Jamnagar-361 006

Brief History of pearl millet improvement in Gujarat:

• Initially, the work on pearl millet was started as early as 1932 at Nadiad in Gujarat by the erstwhile Bombay province with the exploitation of local material. In the ex. Saurashtra province during 1st Five year plan the ICAR scheme (50% ICAR+50% state) was started at Palitana farm in the year 1949-50 and it was shifted to Jamnagar then farm Aliabada with the administration office at Jamnagar and again farm was shifted to Jamnagar.
• The earlier work resulted in developing the open pollinated varieties in the year 1939 viz., N. 207 which yielded 20% more yield than local, N-28-15-2, L-11, Babapuri, etc. These types were quite distinct stable types, which were adopted by farmers. They had good grain qualities but were poor-yielders and tall.
• With the formation of the Saurashtra state in 1950, the improvement of Pearl millet was taken up at Junagadh, Amreli and Jamnagar and in the second five year plan (1956-57  to 1960-61), the research work on pearl millet was intensified at Talod and Deesa.
• The real work on pearl millet research in the newly formed Gujarat state got momentum in the third five year plan (1961-62 to 1965-66) with the establishment of Millet Specialist post in the year 1962 with the main station at Jamnagar and four sub stations viz. Kothara(Kutch) presently with SDAU, Vijapur (Mehsana) presently with SDAU, Anand is presently with AAU and Talaja(Bhavnagar) presently with JAU.
• In 1963, we got assistance from The Rockefeller Foundation by way of germplasm male sterile American Bajri. This was the real beginning of the improvement of pearl millet work not only in Gujarat state but in India too and this is a turning point in the history of pearl millet improvement in India.
• All India Coordinated Project on Millets Research was started in 1969-70.      
• The heterosis breeding started from the year 1963 and as a result, our first hybrid HB-2 was released in 1966. The HB-2 was quickly replaced by a superior new hybrid HB-3 in 1968. This HB-3 had a superior grain quality, very high yielding, early maturing, good tillering and resistance to downey mildew disease.
• HB-3 became very popular in pearl millet growing areas of the whole of India. This hybrid covered 66 % area of pearl millet in the year 1973 in Gujarat state.
• In the second phase (1980 to 2000) and third phase (2001 to till date) number of hybrids for catering to the need of farmers of India as well as Gujarat state. In the third phase, the station also released the biofortified hybrids having high Fe and Zn contents in its grain.
• Since the start of Jamnagar station, total 23 hybrids suited under varied agro-climatic situation has been released.

Incumbency chart of the Research Scientist (Pearl Millet) office

Introduction:

Mandate:

Objectives:

Major Thrust areas:

Faculty:

Sr.	Name	Designation	Discipline	Qualification	Photo
1	Dr. K.D. Mungra	I/c Research Scientist (Pearl Millet)	Genetics & Plant Breeding	Ph.D.
2	Dr. G.M. Parmar	Assoc. Res. Scientist	Agril. Entomology	Ph.D.
3	Dr. H.M. Bhuva	Assoc.  Res. Scientist	Agronomy	Ph.D.
4	Prof. Asha C. Detroja	Asstt. Res. Scientist	Agronomy	M.Sc.(Agri)
5	Prof. J.S.  Sorathiya	Asstt. Res. Scientist	Genetics & Plant Breeding	M.Sc.(Agri)
6	Dr. S.K. Parmar	Asstt. Res. Scientist	Genetics & Plant Breeding	Ph.D.
7	Dr. R.J.Chaudhari	Asstt. Res. Scientist	Plant Pathology	Ph.D.
8	Shri C.R. Sable	Agriculture Officer	Agriculture	Diploma Agriculture
9	Dr. S.N. Galani	Agriculture Officer	Genetics & Plant Breeding	Ph.D.
10	Shri P.R. Patel	Agriculture Officer	Agronomy	Ph.D.
11	Sh. N.N. Chaudhari	Agriculture Officer	Agronomy	Ph.D.
12	Kum. Vidhi D. Hirpara	Agriculture Officer	Agriculture	B.Sc.(Agri)
13	Shri D.K.Patel	Agriculture Officer	Agriculture	Diploma Agriculture

Infrastructure:

Scheme Continue at JAU, Jamnagar:

Project/scheme completed

Note: The AICRP on Seed (Crops) from 01/04/2023 has been trasfered at Dept of SST, CoA , JAU, Junagadh along with staff position.

Hybrids released during last twenty year:

Awards / appreciation received by station and faculty:

• Dr. H.R. Dave and Co-workers were awarded “Sardar Patel award” in 1997 for the development and release of first summer pearl millet hybrid GHB-183.
• Chaudhary Devilal outstanding All-India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) Award for the year 2003 was awarded to Pearl Millet Research Station, JAU, Jamnagar for significant contribution in pearl millet research
• The Society for Millet Research and AICPMIP on 2nd May, 2005 honoured the Jamnagar centre as “Best AICRP Centre” for outstanding contribution in pearl millet research.
• The research paper presented by Dr. C.J. Dangaria and co-workers at National Symposium on “alternative use of millets” in India held at Bikaner on 30th April, 2005 was judged as a best paper. 
• Dr. A.K. Joshi and Co-workers received the best poster paper award during national seminar on “stress management in arid and semi-arid ecosystems for productivity enhancement in Agriculture on sustainable basis” held at Sardar Krishinagar held during 11-13 April, 2005.
• Dr. C.J. Dangaria, Research Scientist (Pearl Millet) was awarded “Best Scientist Award” by Indian Society of Millet Research on 10th April, 2006 for significant contribution in pearl millet improvement by the Jamnagar centre.
• AICPMIP, Jodhpur appreciated JAU, Jamnagar as “Best AICRP Centre” for taking new research initiatives to promote and adoption of pearl millet hybrids on 12th March 2011.
• The Gujarat Association for Agricultural Sciences (GASS), Ahmedabad appreciated the dedicated work of Dr C J Dangaria, the Ex. Research Scientist (Pearl Millet), JAU, Jamnagar and co-workersfor the “Release of Series of Pearl Millet Hybrids for increasing Cereal Production of Gujarat” and decided to confer upon them“Sadvichar Parivar Award-2013” on 09-10-2014.
• International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad honors JAU, Jamnagar (one of the HOPE Project partners in South Asia) with the “Outstanding Partnership Award” in recognition of their outstanding contribution in enhancing livelihoods of small holder dryland cereal (post rainy season sorghum and drought tolerant pearl millet) farmers on 12-12-2014.
• The Gujarat Association for Agricultural Sciences (GASS), Ahmedabad honoured Dr. D. L. Kadvani, Associate Research Scientist, Plant Pathology with “GAAS-Young Scientist Award-2016” for the commendable Best Thesis work for his Ph. D. degree from J.A.U., Junagadh.
• Dr. H. M. Bhuva, Assoc Res Sci, JAU, Jamnagar presented the paper entitled “Impact of organic fertilizers on growth, yield and quality of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) Under rainfed conditions of Gujarat” and Mrs. Asha C. Detroja presented the paper presented the paper entitled “Possibilities of Organic Farming in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) – Gram (Cicer arietinum L.) cropping sequence under Saurashtra region of Gujarat” in National Conference on “Technological changes and innovations in agriculture for enhancing farmers’ income” held at JAU, Junagadh, Gujarat during 28-31 May, 2017 organized by ASM Foundation, New Delhi an ISO 9001:2008 certified  organization and both papers judged as “Best oral presentation”.
• ICRISAT honors Dr. K. D. Mungra one of the co-authour of paper entitle ‘Phenotypic data from inbred parents can improve genomic prediction in pearl millet hybrids’) for the “Outstanding Scientific Article Research Program-Asia” on 14-12-2018.
• ICAR-AICRP on Pearl Millet, Jodhpur and Society for Millets Research, Hyderabad honour Dr. K. D. Mungra, Associate Research Scientist (Plant Breeding genetics), JAU, Jamnagar for “Best Scientist Award (2017-18)” in the AGM of pearl millet workers held at Jodhpur on 24-03-2018.
• Dr C.J. Dangariya ex Research Scientist(Pearl Millet), JAU, Jamnagar and his co-workers honoured on 25-08-2019 by The Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding, New Delhi by certificate of recognition for development of landmark Pearl Millet hybrid GHB-538 and contributing towards food and nutritional security of the country.
• The Gujarat Association for Agricultural Sciences (GASS), Ahmedabad on 03.10.2020 appreciate the dedicated work of Dr. K. D Mungra, Research Scientist (Pearl Millet), JAU, Jamnagar and his team members for the “Development of biofortified pearl millet hybrids to fight against iron and zinc deficiency in Gujarat” and decided to confer upon them “Prof. J.P. Trivedi Award (2018)”  on 03-10-2020.
• ICAR-AICRP on Pearl Millet, Jodhpur presented certificate of appreciation to ICAR-AICRP on Pearl Millet, JAU, Jamnagar for “Best performing ICAR-AICRP on Pearl Millet centre (2020-21)” in online event of AICRP-PM workers group meeting on 23-03-2021.
• Dr. Sanjay K. Parmar, Assistant Research Scientist, JAU, Jamnagar is bestowed with “Springer Young Scientist Award” for oral presentation on “Pearl millet hybrid GHB 1129: Gujarat's first effort to combat malnutrition through crop biofortification” in national symposium on “Emerging innovations in plant molecules for achieving food and nutritional security” organized by NAU, Navsari and Division of Biochemistry, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi in association with Society for Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology, IARI, New Delhi which was held at NAU during September 22-23, 2022.
• Dr. Ramesh J. Chaudhari, Assistant Research Scientist, JAU, Jamnagar received award for oral presentation on “Management of Pearl Millet downy mildew by using organic compounds” during ISMPP 42nd Annual Conference & National Symposium held at Department of Plant Pathology, B.A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat & Indian Society of Mycology and Plant Pathology, MPUAT, Udaipur, Rajasthan during 10-12 May, 2023.
• ICAR-AICRP on Pearl Millet, Jodhpur presented a certificate of appreciation to ICAR-AICRP on Pearl Millet, JAU, Jamnagar for “Best performing ICAR-AICRP on Pearl Millet centre (2022-23)” in an event of 58th AGM of AICRP-PM workers held at PJTSAU, Hyderabad from 10-11 July 2023.
• Dr K. D. Mungra, Associate Research Scientist, JAU, Jamnagar is appreciated with Kirloskar Vasundhara Sanman Award-2024 (Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd, Pune) for Outstanding contribution in the field of pearl millet research and development.

Research Activities:

Plant Breeding:

• Collection, conservation and evaluation of germplasm during summer breeding program utilizing various breeding approaches
• Development and evaluation of disease and pest resistant genetically diverse pollinators-inbreds, CMS lines and hybrids of various maturity groups.
• Testing of combining ability of male sterile and inbred lines for developing new pearl millet hybrids
• Development of dual purpose hybrids, varieties, parental lines and novel genetic stocks with resistance to downy mildew, blast, high grain iron and Zn content along with consumer acceptability, conduct and monitor multi-location testing of coordinated trials of pearl millet.
• Development of high yielding dual purpose disease resistant hybrid suitable and potential under adverse and various climatic conditions like lower rainfall drought resistance for irregular early withdrawn monsoon
• Identification of suitable hybrids for cultivation under adverse climatic conditions.
• Development of input responsive downy mildew resistant short or medium duration high yielding hybrids for summer and irrigated Kharif conditions.
• Evaluation and testing of various newly developed varieties/hybrids of various oil seeds crops and other JAU mandated crops
• Capacity building of farmers and demonstration of yield potential of pearl millet hybrids, and also to demonstrate the benefit of different productiontechnology on farmer’s field.
• Breeder seed production of pearl millet hybrid parental lines and other JAU mandated crops as per the indent

Natural Resource Management:

• To develop efficient production technologies of pearl millet based cropping system for various agro-climatic zones.
• Develop efficient production strategy involving response to low inputs, cropping systems, unconventional areas (summer season) and contingency planning
• To work out fertilizer requirements for new and advanced hybrids and population and agronomic bio-fortification of pearl millet hybrids.
• To develop moisture conservation technology through use of polymers and crop residues mulch.
• To evaluate and identify cost-effective pearl millet based crop sequence
• To evaluate the effect of nano-fertilizer and micronutrients on pearl millet production.
• Integrated nutrient management integrating various sources of nutrients
• To study the long-term effect of FYM and the use of bio-fertilizer with chemical fertilizer and without chemical fertilizer.
• To develop production technology to harvest higher yield under organic condition and natural farming.

Pathology:

• Development of integrated disease management (IDM) strategies against pearl millet blast and downy mildew disease using chemical and bioagents.
• Field and lab screening of breeding materials and identification of diversified sources of multiple disease resistances to be useful in breeding.
• Strengthen research on downy mildew, blast and rust diseases management
• Screening of breeding materials against diseases such as downy mildew, smut, rust, ergot and blast
• Use of new molecules and latest formulation of fungicides for management of blast disease of pearl millet.
• Monitoring of pearl millet diseases in different location trial and farmer's field for identification of a new disease or new races of the pathogen.
• Study on the pathogen diversity of downy mildew and blast in pearl millet.

Entomology:

• Screening of promising pearl millet entries against major insect -pests along with identification of shoot fly resistant pearl millet lines.
• Study on incidence of store grain pests infesting pearl millet grains.
• Determine the economic threshold level of shoot fly, stem borer and other pests in pearl millet.
• Management of insect pests in pearl millet using IPM modules.
• Management of major insect pests in pearl millet through natural inputs
• Monitoring and survey of potential new invasive pest of pearl millet in Gujarat

Crop Physiology:

• Characterization for drought tolerance to identify parental lines of pearl millet.
• Identification of physiological traits for drought tolerance in pearl millet.
• Study on photosynthate partitioning & remobilization in pearl millet.
• Agro-physiological management of the drought in pearl millet.

Transfer of Technologies / Extension Activities:

Farmer's / Scientific Recommendations: (Since 2013)

SEED TECHNOLOGY:

1.    For the scientific community, a recommendation was proposed to avoid production losses in bunch groundnut due to pod germination in the field under late and excess rainfall conditions during kharif at maturity time. Fresh seed dormancy was studied in nine high yielding bunch groundnut varieties and it was recommended to grow groundnut varieties TG-26, TPG-41 and GG-6 possessing higher degree of seed dormancy (2013).

2.    Castor hybrid seed production growing farmers/ seed producers are advised to take castor hybrid seed production program in Surendranagar district of Gujarat as alternative (new) areas where profitable seed production can be taken up. The new area was identified based on favourable climatic condition, higher seed yield and better benefit : cost ratio. (2015).

3.    Cluster bean (Guar) growing farmers are recommended to produce higher seed yield per hectare in kharif season, the crop should be sown in the first fortnight of July in a spacing of 30 x 10 cm (2015)

4.    Emamectin benzoate 5SG @ 2 ppm a.i. (40.0 mg/kg seed) or Spinosad  45 SC @ 2 ppm a.i. (4.4 mg/kg seed) or deltamethrin 2.8 EC @ 1.0 ppm a.i. (0.04 ml/kg seed)  treated seeds (at 10% moisture content) stored in moisture impervious bags provide safer storage up to 6-9 months in the coastal region. This technology may be adopted (2015).

5.    Groundnut pod (<10% Moisture Content) treatment with Emamectin benzoate (5 SG) @ 2 ppm (40 mg diluted in 15 ml water/kg of pod) or Spinosad (45 SC) @ 2ppm (4.4 mg diluted in 15 ml water/kg of pod) can provide effective management of groundnut pod borer during storage up to 6-9 months under the ambient condition without affecting seed quality (2018).

6.    Acorus calamus TNAU formulation @ 10 ml/kg seed can be used for the management of storage insects up to 6 months without affecting seed germination in chickpea seeds (2019).

7.    Pre-harvest spraying of emamectin benzoate (5 SG) @ 0.3 ml/L or profenofos (50 EC) @ 1ml/litre at 50% pod maturity and maturity stage can be used for controlling field infestation of pulse bruchid and subsequent adult emergence during storage (2019).

8.    In Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata), foliar application at flowering stage of DAP (20 g/litre water) incorporated with micronutrient mixture containing Zinc as Zinc sulphate (5g/L water) + Boron as Boric acid (3g/L water) + NAA (0.4 g/10 litre water) and pinching at 60 days after sowing leads to enhancement in seed yield of 19% over control. The benefit cost ratio is 1.18. (2020).

9.    In Sunhemp (Crotolaria juncea), foliar application at flowering stage of DAP (20 g/litre water) incorporated with micronutrient mixture containing Zinc as Zinc sulphate (5 g/litre water) + Boron as Boric acid (3g/litre water) + NAA (0.4 g/10 litre water) and pinching when main stem attains a height of 90 cm leads to enhancement in seed yield of 86% over control. The benefit cost ratio is 1.97 (2020).

10.  In Pillipesara (Vigna trilobata), foliar application at flowering stage of DAP (20 g/litre water) incorporated with micronutrient mixture containing Zinc as Zinc sulphate (5 g/litre water) + Boron as Boric acid (3 g/litre water) + NAA (0.4 g/10 litre water) and pinching at 30 days after sowing leads to enhancement in seed yield of 48% over control. The benefit cost ratio is 1.83 (2020).

11.  Green gram seeds can be protected up to two months from pulse beetle infestation during storage (seed purpose) by applying spray in the field either profenophos50 EC 0.05 % (10 ml/10 l of water) or emamectin benzoate 5 SG 0.0015 % (3.0 g/10 litre of water) at 50 and 100 % pod maturity of green gram. (2020)

12.  It was recommendedthat after analysis of sample of castor seed, if seed is found to confirm the prescribed standards, the Certification Agency shall extend the validity of seed of castor for a further period of six months from the date of expiry of previous validity period or date of test, whichever is earlier. It was also suggested that in castor crop second revalidation would be permitted only with special permission of DAC (2021).

AGRONOMY:

Plant pathology:

AGRIL. ENTOMOLOGY:

1.    Farmers of  North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone growing kharif  pearl millet are advised to treat the seeds with thiamethoxam 35 FS @ 9.0 ml/kg (3.15 g a.i./kg) or imidacloprid 600 FS @ 8.75 ml/kg (5.25 g a.i./kg) seed at the time of sowing followed by spray of either profenophos 40% + cypermethrin 4.0%,  44 EC 0.044% (10 ml/10 litre water; 220 g a.i./ha) or cartap hydrochloride  50 SP 0.05% (10 g/ 10 litre water; 250 g a.i./ha) or thiodicarb 75 WP 0.015% (2 g/10 litre water; 75 g a.i./ha) at 30 days after germination of the crop  for the effective management of shoot fly and stem borer. The PHI for these insecticides is 61 days ( 2014)

2.    Farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone growing kharif pearl millet are advised to treat the seeds with imidacloprid 600 FS, 8.75 ml/kg seeds, 4.20 g a.i./kg seeds at the time of sowing followed by spray with imidacloprid 17.8 SL, 0.009 % (5.0 ml/10 liter water, 45.39 g a.i./ha) at 35 days after germination of the crop for effective management of shoot fly and stem borer. The PHI for these insecticides is 42 days.(2015)

3.    Seed treatment with imidacloprid 600 FS @ 8.75 ml/kg, 4.20 g a.i./kg at the time of sowing followed by spray with spinosad 45 SC, 0.009 % @ 2.0 ml/10 litre at 35 days after germination of the crop found effective for the management of shoot fly and stem borer. The PHI for these insecticides is 42 days. (2015)

4.    Farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone growing kharif pearl millet are recommended to spray HNPV @ 450 LE/ha (10 ml/10 lit. water) or Bacillus thuringiensis 5 WP (2 x 108 cfu/g) @ 1.0 kg/ha (20 g/10 lit. water) or Beauveria bassiana 1.15 WP (2 x 106 cfu/g) @ 2.0 kg/ha (40 g/10 lit. water) on appearance of Helicoverpa armigera at ear head stage for effective and economical management of pest. (2018)

5.    The farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone growing organic pearl millet are advised to apply two sprays of Beauveria bassiana 1.15 WP (2 x 106 cfu/g) 50 g/10 litre of water at 30 and 60 days after sowing for the effective and economical management of shoot fly and stem borer, whereas for ear head worm, Helicoverpa armigera one spray of HNPV 250 LE/ha at anthesis stage to be carried out. (2019)

6.    The farmers of North Saurashtra Agro-climatic Zone growing kharif pearl millet are advised to apply seed treatment of imidacloprid 600 FS @ 8.75 ml/kg at the time of sowing, removal of shoot fly dead hearts, installation of fish meal traps @ 10/ha (fish meal to be replaced once a week) and spraying of dimethoate 30 EC 0.03 % (10 ml/10 l of water) at 35 days after germination for effective and economical management of shoot fly (2020).

7.    Seed treatment of imidacloprid 600 FS @ 8.75 ml/kg seeds + removal of shoot fly dead hearts + fish meal trap @ 10/ha at 7 days after germination (fish meal to be replaced once a week) + spraying of novaluron 10 EC 0.01% (10 ml/10 litre water) at 35 DAG recorded lowest stem borer per cent incidence of pearl millet. (2020)

8.    Seed treatment of clothianidin 50 WDG @ 7.5 g/kg seeds followed by spray of fipronil 5 SC 0.01% (20 ml/10 litre water) for shoot fly, while chlorantraniliprole 20 SC 0.006% (3.0 ml/10 litre water) for stem borer at 35 DAG were found effective in pearl millet. (2020)

9.    The farmers of Gujarat growing pearl millet in kharif season are recommended to treat seed with imidacloprid 600 FS (8.75 ml/kg) followed by two sprays at 20 and 40 DAG either Beauveria bassiana 1.15 WP (Min. 1 x 108 cfu/g), 0.007 % (60 g/10 l of water) or Panchgavya 3 % (300 ml/10 l of water) for effective and economical management of shoot fly and stem borer. (2022)

10.The 5 % plant damage by stem borer is considered as economic threshold level (ETL) in kharif pearl millet.

PLANT PHYSIOLOGY:

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