Finger millet — 3Land preparation & sowing

• Nursery for transplanting

  For one hectare, select 12.5 cents (500 m²) near a water source where water does not stagnate. Spread 37.5 kg of super phosphate mixed with 500 kg of FYM, and plough well. Form raised beds of 3 m x 1.5 m with 30 cm channels. Broadcast 5 kg of treated seed in shallow rills (not deeper than 1 cm), cover lightly, and sprinkle 500 kg of powdered FYM. Do not sow deep, and do not let cracks form. Pull out seedlings on the 17th–20th day.

  Pending expert review

  Source

  Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Ragi – Preparation of nursery, pp. 92–93

  Region

  Tamil Nadu

  Last updated

  2026-11-04

• Main field and transplanting

  Plough twice with a mould board plough or three times with a wooden plough to a good tilth. Spread 12.5 t/ha of FYM or compost and plough it in at once (manure left uncovered loses nutrients). Form beds of 10–20 m². Transplant 18–20-day-old seedlings, 2 per hill, 3 cm deep, at 30 x 10 cm (22.5 x 10 cm for direct sowing). Dip the roots for 15–30 minutes in a slurry of 1000 g Azospirillum and 1000 g phosphobacteria in 40 litres of water. Seedlings older than 21 days under rainfed conditions: plant 3 per hill and increase N by 25%.

  Pending expert review

  Source

  Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Ragi – Main field & transplanting, pp. 93–95

  Region

  Tamil Nadu

  Last updated

  2026-11-04