Pearl millet
Pearl millet is the most common of cereals that are called 'millets'.
This page provides some basic information and facts about pearl millet and some pearl millet photos.
Basic information on pearl millet
| Scientific name: | Pennisetum glaucum |
| Synonyms: | Pennisetum americanum Pennisetum spicatum Pennisetum typhoides Pennisetum typhoideum |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Order: | Poales |
| English: | Pearl millet Spiked millet Bajra Bulrush millet Cattail millet Cat-tail millet Candle millet Dark millet |
| French: | Millet perle Mil penicillaire Penicillaire Petit mil Millet à chandelles |
| German: | Perlhirse Rohrkolbenhirse Pinselgras Negerhirse |
| Spanish: | Mijo perla Mijo negro Bajra |
| Italian: | Miglio perlato |
| Dutch: | Parelgierst |
| Origin: | Pearl millet originates from tropical Africa. |
| Distribution: | Pearl millet is grown in Africa and the Indian sub continent. It is an important food crop in the Sahel region. |
| Plant: | Pearl millet is an annual, upright bunch grass that tillers from the base. When mature it can be 1.5 to 2 meter tall (sometimes even higher) |
| Flowers: | The flowers of pearl millet is a single raceme, which depending on the variety can be 10 to 50 centimeters long. |
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| Climate and weather: | Pearl millet grows in dry warm climates. It is tolerant to drought. |
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| Type of soil: | Pearl millet can grow in soils with low fertility and tolerates high soil salinity. |
| Preferred pH: | Pearl millet can grow in soils with low pH. |
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| Spacing (close range) | 40 × 10 cm |
| Spacing (wide range) | 80 × 80 cm |
| Propagation: | Pearl millet is grown from seeds. |
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| Uses: | Pearl millet is often ground into flour, which can be used to prepare a porridge. Sometimes it is prepared as a beverage. Malt of peral millet can be used to make beer. In some parts of India, pearl millet is used to make roti. Pearl millet is also used as forage crop. Livestock producers grow it for grazing, silage and hay. |
Photos
Recipes
Who knows a recipe with pearl millet?