Moisture conservation and seed hardening on pearl millet

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.] commonly known as bajra, is an important drought hardy millet crop basically cultivated in the arid and semi-arid areas on light textured sandy soils. It is one of the major coarse grain crop and is considered to be a poor mans food as it provides staple food for the poor in a short period. It is a dual purpose crop, grains are used for human consumption and its fodder as cattle feed. Pearl millet grains are eaten cooked like rice or chapattis are prepared out of flour like wheat or maize flour. It is also used as feed for poultry and green fodder or dry karbi for cattle.