Research Projects

Millets, traditional staples in India, have seen a decline in prominence due to the green revolution, with their importance in semiarid tropics where other food crops struggle. Millets have higher nutrient content than major cereal crops, making them crucial for food and nutrition security. However, cultivating them on soils deficient in zinc and iron can lead to reduced crop yield and diminished grain concentrations. Finger millet genotypes for resistance to these deficiencies present a viable long-term solution, but breeding is time-consuming and requires higher investments. Improved nutrient management strategies, including optimized fertilizer application, organic amendments, and soil amendments, can enhance nutrient availability for millet crops, leading to improved yield, nutritional quality, and sustainability.