Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), also known as bajra, is a hardy, drought-tolerant cereal crop.
While direct sowing is the most common establishment method, transplanting is highly recommended under specific field conditions.
These conditions include delayed monsoons, saline soils, or gap-filling needs.
Detailed Explanation:
The sowing method determines the required seed rate:
- For direct-sown pearl millet, the standard seed rate is approximately 4 to 5 kg/ha to ensure a uniform plant population.
- For the transplanting method, seedlings are raised in a nursery bed before being planted in the main field.
- Raising seedlings in a controlled nursery environment results in much higher seed germination and survival rates.
- Consequently, the required seed rate is reduced by half.
- Only 2 kg of seed is needed to raise enough healthy, uniform seedlings to plant one hectare of land.
This method also helps establish the crop quickly, resulting in more uniform tillering and higher yield potential under delayed sowing conditions.
Step 2: Final Answer:
The suitable seed rate of pearl millet for raising transplanting seedlings for one hectare is 2 kg/ha.