**5. Cropping systems**


#### **Table 2.**

*Intercropping systems of finger millet growing in different regions and states of India [20, 21].*

### **6. Nutrient management**

The application of farm yard manure before sowing of the crop is 5–10 t/ha. Fertilizer applications give better results to produce a higher yield. Fertilizer recommendations for finger millet are 40 kg nitrogen (N), 20 kg phosphorus (P), and 20 kg potassium(K) per ha for rainfed cultivation and 60 kg N, 30 kg P, and 30 kg K per ha for irrigation. Rao et al. [22] found that application rates of up to 40 kg N/ha of nitrogen fertilizer resulted in improved grain yield and protein content in finger millet. According to Hedge and Gowda [23] found that the application rate of phosphorus was increased from 30 to 60 kg/ha phosphorus to improve grain yield. The application of zinc (Zn), boron (B), and sulfur (S) coupled with N, P increased the yield of finger millet grains (56%), Stover biomass (44%), total biomass (48%), and plant uptake of Zn (66%) and B (22%) compared to the addition of N and P alone, according to Srinivasarao et al. [24]. Rao et al. [25] reported that the application of B and Zn along with N, P, and S fertilizer increased finger millet's grain, straw yield, and nutrient uptake of N, P, S, B, and Zn. Finger millet treated with *Azospirillium + arbuscular mycorrhizal* (AM) fungi + PSB improved plant growth and N, P uptake [26]. When finger millet was treated with AM fungus in comparison to uninoculated plants the absorption of macronutrients (N, P) and micronutrients (Zn, Cu) was improved in plants [27].

The application of *Azotobacter* and PSB coupled with fertilizer (based on soil testing) and FYM (10 t/ha) enhanced finger millet yield in comparison to the recommended fertilizer treatment alone [28].

#### **7. Water management**

Finger millet cultivated in rainfed conditions does not require any irrigation, but if rain delays for a long period of time between tillering and flowering stages, irrigation should be necessary to produce a reasonable yield. To fulfill the water requirement of crops to create furrows and ridges for irrigation [29]. Because the

#### *Finger Millet Scientific Cultivation and Its Uses In India DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.111391*

crop cannot thrive in wet conditions, it is very crucial to remove excess water after rain. Since it is a drought-tolerant crop, additional watering at critical stages of the growth cycle results in a good yield from finger millet-based farming systems [30]. If we want to get a good yield from a finger millet-based cropping system in a drought-prone area, drip irrigation is an alternate and efficient technique of irrigation. Other management techniques, including as mulching, intercropping, growing pulses in intercropping, Intercultivation, and application of organic manure, boost soil moisture retention and increase the yield of finger millet-based cropping systems. Finger millet and pulse intercropping also reduce soil erosion and the loss of nutrients from the top fertile soil. According to Jagadeesha [31], sewage sludge treatment results in maximum moisture retention and the most efficient use of water. Studies show that using organic manure can improve water retention and effective rainfall, both of which serve to increase production when there is a water shortage.


#### **Table 3.**

*Major weeds associated with finger millet in India [32].*


**Table 4.** *Method of weed control.*

#### **8. Weed management**

Finger millet adapts well in adverse environmental conditions. Weed associated with finger millet is also adapted to those unfavourable conditions to compete with finger millet for the limited resources. Hence, it is essential to understand the ecology of weeds associated with finger millet to manage them properly (**Tables 3** and **4**) [42].

When finger millet is exposed to harsh environmental conditions, it adapts well and rapidly. In order to finger millet, compete with weeds for the resources and weed affects the overall development of the crop. Therefore, in order to effectively control of weeds associated with finger millet is crucial to understand their ecology [42]. The proper control of weeds increases finger millet yields. Integrated weed management (IWM) in the combination of herbicides, mechanical weeding methods, and hand weeding techniques successfully controlled the weeds in finger millet crop. IWM efficiently controls the losses caused by weeds like lowers nutrient uptake, which makes nutrients available to finger millet and lowers the cost of applying surplus fertilizers [43].

