Millets Introduction.pdf

AGRON-506 MILLETS The name "Millet" is derived from the word "mil" or "thousand," referring to the large number of grains that can be produced from a single seed. The Hindi word "Kadann" originates from the Sanskrit word "Kadannam," which refers...

AGRON-506 MILLETS The name "Millet" is derived from the word "mil" or "thousand," referring to the large number of grains that can be produced from a single seed. The Hindi word "Kadann" originates from the Sanskrit word "Kadannam," which refers to the “food grains of the poor” or "Nindit Ann" (neglected grain). However, this term is not entirely accurate, as some millets, like barnyard millet and pseudo millets, are consumed by devotees during fasting and are rich in nutritional value. Millets are a group of highly variable small-seeded grasses, widely cultivated around the world as cereal crops for both fodder and human consumption. 'Millet' is a collective term used to describe several different small- grained cereal grasses. Although millets do not originate from a single plant species, they share common characteristics. CLASSIFICATION OF MILLETS (A) Millets under cultivation: Common name Botanical name Local name Sorghum Sorghum bicolor Jowar Pearl millet Pennisetum glaucum Bajra Finger millet Eleusine coracana Ragi/Mundua/Mandwa Barnyard millet Echinochloa frumentacea Sanwa/Jhangora Proso millet Panicum miliaceum Chenoa Little millet Panicum sumatrense Kutki Foxtail millet Setaria italica Kakun/ Kangni Kodo millet Paspalum scrobiculatum Kodo (B) Lesser-known millets: Common name Botanical name Local name Brown top millet Brachiaria ramosa Crab grass Digitaria cruciata (C) Extinct millet: Common name Botanical name Local name Job’s tear Coix lachrymal-jobi (D) Pseudo-millet: Common name Botanical name Local name Purple Amaranth Amaranthus cruentus Chaulai Fagopyrum esculentum Buck wheat and Kuttu Fagopyrum tataricum