1

Citation: Ranganatha, A.R.G.

Improved Technology for Maximizing Production of Niger

Revised edition:
December 2013

Published by:
Project Coordinator
All India Coordinated Research Project on Sesame and Niger,
Indian Council of Agricultural Research,
JNKVV Campus, Jabalpur-482004 (MP)

Compiled by:
Dr. A.R.G. Ranganatha
Dr. Alok Jyotishi
Dr. Mohan Ramuji Deshmukh
Dr. Rajani Bisen
Dr. A.K. Panday
Dr. K. N. Gupta
Smt. Surabhi Jain
Dr. Seema Paroha

Cover Page:
Amit Singh

2
 NIGER
TECHNOLOGY FOR MAXIMIZING PRODUCTION
Niger [Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.] is commonly known as ramtil, jagni or jatangi (Hindi),
ramtal (Gujrati), karale or khurasani (Marathi), uhechellu (Kannada), payellu (Tamil), verrinuvvulu
(Telugu), alashi (Oriya), sarguza (Bengali), ramtil (Punjabi) and sorguja (Assamese) in different parts of the
country. Niger although considered a minor oilseed crop, is important in terms of its 32 to 40% content of
quality oil with 18 to 24% protein in the seed. Niger oil is slow drying, used in food, paint, soap, and as an
illuminant. It is used as a substitute for olive oil, can be adultrated with rapeseed, sesame and linseed oil. The
oil is used in cooking. The oil from the seed is used to treat burns and in the treatment of scabies. The seed is
eaten fried and used as a condiment. The press cake from oil extraction is used for livestock feed. Niger oil
has good keeping quality and has < 70% unsaturated fatty acids free from toxins. The oil is considered good
for health. Whole plants are used as green manure in the pre flowering stage. Plants are used as a 'bee plant'.
The crop is capable of giving better seed yield even under low soil fertility, moisture stress and poor crop
management. Niger has an advantage of yielding oil and has good degree of tolerance to diseases, insect
pests and attack of wild animals. Niger has great potential for soil conservation. These attributes favour its
cultivation on hilly areas, marginal and sub marginal lands in and around the forests. Niger is primarily
grown on the denuded soils in the tribal pockets under input starved conditions in India. Further it is the life
line of tribal agriculture and economy. India ranks first in area, production and export of niger in the world.
Niger crop grows successfully without chemicals. It has the yield potential of 800-1000 kg/ha under optimum
growing conditions. The low seed rate, capability to grow on a wide range of soils and sowing period starting
from the onset of monsoon in June to September-October, makes this crop ideal for contingent cropping
under rainfed situations.
The All India Coordinated Research Project on Niger, under the Indian Council of Agricultural
Research, has developed and refined the improved production technology for enhancing productivity and
profitability of niger. The states contributing primarily to the niger production of the country are Madhya
Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh (Table 1). Besides, the crop is also cultivated to
some extent in hilly areas of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar/Jharkhand, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil
Nadu, West Bengal, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in North Eastern Hill region.
Table 1: Area, production and productivity of niger in major growing states of India (2012-13).

Area Production Productivity Area Production Productivity

State (‘000 (‘000 (kg/ha) State (‘000 (‘000 (kg/ha)
ha) tonnes) ha) tonnes)
Madhya Pradesh 86.9 29.8 343 Gujarat 7.0 2.0 286
Odisha 76.0 27.4 360 Assam 8.0 4.0 500
3
Chhatisgarh 64.2 11.4 178 Jharkhand 4.6 2.4 526
Maharashtra 28.0 8.0 286 West Bengal 4.0 2.8 700
Karnatka 14.0 5.0 357 Others 0.1 0.1 1000
Andhra Pradesh 8.0 6.0 750 All India 300.8 98.9 329

ANALYSIS OF NIGER SCENARIO: The productivity of Niger is low, around 300 to 350 kg/ha in India.
Niger production during 2012-13 has increased by 7 % and productivity by 88%, even after a reduction of
42% in the area over 1965-66. Despite the maximum area (86.9 thousand hectares) and production (29.8
thousand tones) in Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh has the maximum seed yield of 750 kg/ha during 2012-
13.
Table 2: Change in Area, Production and Productivity of niger crop over 1965-66
 Area of major niger growing states ('000 hectares)
Area ('000 hectares)

State % Changes
1965-66 1975-76 1985-86 1995-96 2005-06 2011-12 2012-13
over 1965-66

Andhra Pradesh 14.00 9.40 12.60 19.30 16.00 7.00 8.00 -42.9
Karnataka 22.50 47.40 54.80 44.70 30.00 21.00 14.0 -37.8
Madhya
282.20 275.90 227.80 216.40 178.70 117.80 86.9 -69.2
Pradesh
Maharashtra 74.50 104.50 95.90 76.80 54.00 37.00 28.0 -62.4
Orissa 75.90 112.90 201.20 210.00 119.40 85.7 76 0.1
All India 525.40 615.30 635.00 600.60 414.40 364.40 300.8 -42.7
*Estimates
 Production of major niger growing states ('000 tonnes)
Production ('000 tonnes)
State % Changes
1965-66 1975-76 1985-86 1995-96 2005-06 2011-12 2012-2013
over 1965-66
Andhra Pradesh 1.80 7.90 2.70 7.90 6.00 3.00 6 233.3
Karnataka 2.90 9.30 9.80 7.00 6.00 7.00 5 72.4
Madhya Pradesh 42.60 52.60 49.20 44.60 36.00 20.70 29.8 -30.0
Maharashtra 10.50 13.40 20.70 15.20 14.00 12.00 8 -23.8
Orissa 15.60 47.60 94.00 98.80 37.70 31.80 27.4 75.6
All India 91.90 150.50 192.30 190.30 108.00 98.10 98.9 7.6
*Estimates
 Productivity of major niger growing states (Kg/ha)
Yield (Kg/ha)
State % Changes
1965-66 1975-76 1985-86 1995-96 2005-06 2011-12 2012-13
over 1965-66
Andhra Pradesh 129.00 840.00 214.00 409.00 375.00 429.00 750 481.4
Karnataka 129.00 196.00 179.00 157.00 200.00 333.00 357 176.7
Madhya Pradesh 151.00 191.00 216.00 206.00 392.71 176.00 343 127.2
Maharashtra 141.00 128.00 216.00 198.00 259.26 324.00 286 102.8
Orissa 206.00 422.00 467.00 470.00 318.26 371.00 360 74.8
All India 175.00 245.00 303.00 317.00 261.00 269.00 329 88.0
Source: - Directorate of Economics and Statistics New Delhi.
CLIMATIC REQUIREMENT: The optimum plant growth in niger is seen when the temperatures range
between 20-380C during the growing season. Niger may grow on a variety of soils but very coarse or
heavy soils are not suitable as one will not hold the water and the other would stagnate it. Niger grows

4
well with pH values ranging between 5.2 to 7.3. The rainfall ranging between 1000 to 1300 mm is
optimum for the crop. However, rainfall beyond 800 and 2000 mm would be unsuitable.

VARIETAL REQUIREMENT: For improving seed yield dwarf types must be developed which have
uniform maturity resulting in reduced shattering losses. The Ethiopian germplasm collection contains
short stature plants which could be used for the development of dwarf types. There is also genetic
variation for number of heads per plant that could be utilized in breeding programmes to select single
headed types. The presently used normal height niger material has many leaves and a low harvest index.
Reducing plant height would decrease the number of leaves per plant and result in a better harvest index.
Shorter plants would be capable of utilizing fertilizer more efficiently thus seed yield could be increased
through the application of fertilizer. Standard niger types respond to fertilizer application with increase
vegetative growth, promotes lodging of the crop and with seed yield.
The second most important breeding objective in niger improvement is increasing the seed oil
content. There exists a great genetic variability for oil content in Ethiopian and Indian germplasm
collections which could be used, in a breeding programme, to significantly increase oil content. An
increase in oil content of 5 percentages seems to be feasible. A genetic improvement programme for niger
must be based on its pollination behavior. Because of its self incompatibility nature, breeding procedures
used in the improvement of cross pollinating crops are the methods of choice for niger breeding. The
standard breeding procedure for cross pollinating crops is recurrent selection. The resulting varieties are
open pollinated population’s varieties. Thus niger is a candidate for hybrid development. The
identification of genetic male sterility in India and recently in Ethiopia has opened the way for the
exploitation of heterosis in niger.
Niger is less attacked by insects and fungal diseases. As modern high yielding, genetically
uniform cultivars are used, threats from diseases will increase which will require increased emphasis on
resistance breeding. Wild species of the genus Guizotia could serve as sources for disease resistance genes
which could be introgressed into the cultivated species. During the last few years modern techniques of
plant tissue culture, doubled haploid technology and transformation are increasingly used by breeders.
Protocols to regenerate plants from niger hypocotyl and cotyledon tissues and seedlings were developed.
Plant regeneration was dependent on genotype and media composition. If niger is susceptible to
Agrobacterium tumefaciens infection, then it will be a good candidate for gene transfer. Dihaploid plants
of niger have been produced by anther culture. Self compatible lines, dwarf and single headed doubled
haploid plants were obtained from anther culture. Anther and microspore derived dihaploids can be used
to develop homozygous inbred lines in a short time. Recessive, simply inherited and easily identifiable
marker traits which are important for niger seed production to ensure genetic purity of varieties could be
obtained through microspore culture technology. Germplasm exchange between Ethiopia and India,
already a delicate issue, should be explored. However, the Indian materials are early to make use of the
long Ethiopian growing seasons. Therefore elite lines, e.g. male sterile and dwarf lines, rather than

5
accessions would be preferred for Ethiopia. Striking genetic differences exist between the Ethiopian and
Indian niger. These differences could be investigated using isozyme and molecular markers. It would be
interesting to investigate which niger ecotype migrated to India. The variation among ‘abat’, ‘bungne’ and
‘mesno’ niger ecotypes could be differentiated using isozyme and molecular markers. All species within
the genus Guizotia are diploids with chromosome number of 2n=30. Speciation within the genus Guizotia
was not as a result of changes in chromosome number. The four species G. abyssinica, G. scabra subsp.
scabra, G. villosa and G. scabra subsp. schimperi are not reproductively isolated so hybrids among these
species could be obtained with ease. It would be important to study the progenitor of niger using isozyme
and molecular markers such as random amplified polymorphic DNAs. The solution to the problem of the
phylogeny of the species could come from molecular techniques.
It is often reported that niger has an allopathic and mycorrhizal association. It will be interesting
to identify the substance associated with the weed suppressing effect of niger. It is important to study the
mycorrhizal association of niger further. Efficient genotypes and the possibility of biofertilizers should be
investigated.
IMPROVED VARIETIES: Under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Niger, a number of varieties
have been developed and recommended for different niger growing areas. Farmers generally prefer particular
varieties in different regions/ states for their popularity on the basis of the desirable traits viz., seed colour,
resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and higher market prices. The salient features of the recommended
varieties are given in Table 4.
Table 3: Statewise farmers preferred varieties
State Varieties Reasons for preference by farmers
Madhya Pradesh JNC-6 Black Seed
/Chattisgarh JNC-1 Black Seed, higher seed yield
JNS-9 Black Seed, higher seed yield
Maharashtra IGP-76 (Sahyadri) Black Seed, higher seed yield
IGPN-2004-1, (Phule Karala-1) Shining black Seed, higher seed yield, higher market
price
Karnatka RCR-317 Black Seed, higher seed yield
RCR-18 Shining black Seed, higher market price
KBN-1 Black Seed, higher seed yield
Odisha GA-10 Dark black Seed, higher seed yield
Utkal Niger-150 Black Seed, higher seed yield
Jharkhand Birsa Niger-1 Light black Seed, higher seed yield
Birsa Niger-2 (BNS-8) Black Seed, higher seed yield
BNS-10 (Pooja-1) Shining black Seed, higher seed yield, higher market
price
Gujarat Guj. Niger-1 Black Seed, higher seed yield
Guj. Niger-2 (NRS-96-1) Black Seed, higher seed yield
Tamil Nadu Paiyur –1 Black Seed, higher seed yield

Table 4: Varieties recommended, state wise and their characteristic features.

State/ Year of Average Oil Days to Salient features
Recommended Release Seed Yield content maturity
Variety (kg/ha) (%)
Madhya Pradesh/

6
Chhattisgarh
JNC-6 2001 650-700 37-38 95-100 Shining dark black seed. Recommended for
Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra,
Karnatka and Rajasthan states
JNC-1 2002 650-700 38-40 90-100 Black seed. Recommended for Madhya
Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnatka and
Rajasthan states
JNS-9 2004 650-700 38-40 95-100 Black seed, tolerant to moisture stress.
Recommended for all major growing states of
the country
Odisha
GA-10 1991 600-650 39-41 115-120 Tall, dark black seed. Recommended for tribal
areas of Odisha
Utkal Niger-150 2007 650-700 38-40 105-110 Black seed, tolerant to Alternaria and
Cercospora leaf spot
Maharashtra
IGP-76 1982 500-550 35-38 95-100 Black Seed, Widely adopted to all over India
(Sahyadri)
N-5 2001 500-600 36-39 95-100 Small black and sickle shaped seed.
Recommended for Maharashtra and Bihar states
IGPN-2004-1, 2007 650-700 39-41 98-105 Shining black seed, Recommended for high
(Phule Karala-1) rainfall areas of Maharashtra and Karnatka
states. Tolerant to Alternaria leaf spot, powdery
mildew.
Bihar/
Jharkhand
Birsa Niger-1 1994 550-600 36-38 95-100 Light black seed. Recommended for uplands of
Bihar/ Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh
Birsa Niger-2 2003 600-650 35-38 95-100 Black seed. Recommended for all niger growing
(BNS-8) states of the country
BNS-10 (Pooja- 2008 650-700 36-38 95-100 Shining black seed. Recommended for all niger
1) growing states of the country
Karnataka
RCR-317 1987 500-550 35-38 90-95 Black seed
RCR-18 2000 400-450 34-35 100-110 Light black seed and robust growth habit
KBN-1 2007 550-650 36-38 85-95 Black seed
DNS-4 2012 500-600 39-41 90-95 Shining black bold seed
Gujarat
Guj. Niger-1 2000 600-650 35-38 95-100 Black seed
Guj. Niger-2 2003 650-700 35-38 90-95 Black seed. Recommended for all niger
(NRS-96-1) growing states of the country
Tamil Nadu
Paiyur –1 1996 600-650 35-38 90-95 Black seed. Recommended for hilly regions of
Tamilnadu state
Andhra Pradesh- JNS-9 variety of Madhya Pradesh, BNS-2 and BNS-10 varieties of Jharkhand are
recommended.
Rajasthan- JNC-1, JNC-6 and JNS-9 varieties of Madhya Pradesh are recommended.
West Bengal- Birsa Niger-2 and BNS-10 varieties of Jharkhand are recommended.
North Eastern Hill Region- JNC-6 variety of Madhya Pradesh and IGP-76 (Sahyadri) variety of
Maharashtra are recommended.
- JNC-1, JNC-6 and JNS-9 are also recommended to Maharashtra, Bihar, Rajasthan and Karnataka
besides Madhya Pradesh state.
- Birsa Niger-2 and BNS-10 are also recommended to all niger growing states.
7
 - IGP-76 is also recommended to Odisha, Gujarat, Tripura, Daman besides Maharashtra state.
Note: The details of varieties like seed yield and other salient features are given in the respective states.
Seed Scenario: The All India Coordinated Research Project on Niger has developed the technology for
enhancing seed production. The production areas may not necessarily be suitable for seed production
due to parallel build up of diseases and pests. The seed production shall be undertaken in the areas
where the environment allows full expression of the diagnostic characters; facilities for protective
irrigation exist and the productivity and seed quality is high. Cuscuta weed is the major menace for
seed production. The areas for seed production have to be essentially free from this problem. The
suitable areas for seed production are Vishakhapatnam and Rangareddy districts in Andhra Pradesh;
Singhbhun, Dumka and Ranchi in Bihar; Chitradurga, Tumkur and Bangalore in Karnataka; Sidhi,
Narsingpur, Vidisha, Khandwa and Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh; Bilaspur in Chattisgrah; Solapur,
Ratanagiri, Nasik and Latur in Maharashtra; Malakangiri, Koraput, Kalahandi and Navrangpur in
Orissa.
Table 5: Estimated requirements of the quality seed in India
Category Seed (Quintals) Area (ha)
Nucleus seed 0.15 0.03
Breeder seed 10.50 2.00
Foundation seed 675.00 135 .00
Certified seed 40000.00 8000.00
Niger being cross pollinated crop with self incompatibility mechanism it is very difficult to
maintain the genetic purity without adopting appropriate isolation distance. An isolation distance of 1000
m is recommended for nucleus, breeder and the foundation stages of seed production, whereas 500 m for
certified stage production and should be rigorously followed to produce genetically pure quality seed.
Rouging should be done strictly to remove all the off type plants, which exhibit variation from the
parental variety. The plants infested by diseases and pests especially by Cuscuta weed, should be
removed. The field should be inspected thoroughly at seedling, vegetative, flowering and maturity stages
by monitoring team consisting of experts. Presently two seed production systems are operating in the
country.The formal system is being operated through public sector agencies like NSC, SFCI, SSC’s, SAU
and oil federations etc. The seed multiplication ratio in this system is extremely poor. The main advantage
of this system is that the identity, genetic purity, quality and source of the seed is known to the farmers.
The Informal system includes multiplication of varieties by private growers or individual farmers and
sharing the seed by the farmers. The seed of most of niger varieties under cultivation is being produced
and supplied through this system. The main disadvantage of this system is that the identity, genetic purity,
quality and source of the seed is not authenticated. However, the seed produced through this system is less
expensive and easily available to the farmers. The existing formal system of seed production had been
hardly sufficient to cope up with the seed requirement. The minor crops like niger receive least priority of
seed producing agencies and therefore the production of quality seed to the farmers in this crop is
pathetic. The possibility of improving the supply of quality seed in minor crop like niger through the
8
formal system in near future appears not to be so bright. Therefore in this crop, alternative systems of seed
supply may prove worthy for fulfillment of the requirement. Both, the formal and informal systems of
seed supply, have their own limitations. To overcome the limitations of the prevalent informal system and
the existing formal seed supply system, the seed production can be undertaken by the research institutes
and distributed through farmer fairs/field days/sale counters. The direct supply is quite feasible and will
be rather more effective in view of the specific advantages. This system has been quite successful to cover
the maximum area under quality seed of improved varieties.
Another option to augment the seed supply in niger is seed village concept. The institutes can
choose a single variety produce seed sufficient to cover one village with the single variety. The seed
village should grow one and the only one variety. The local or other varieties should not be grown in seed
village. Clubbing together the programme of demonstrations and seed village will prove synergistic for
the improvement of seed replacement rate.
SOILS: Niger is adapted to a wide range of soil types from sandy, sandy loam, clay loam and gravely
soil, however it thrives best on well drained, loamy soils of good depth and texture with pH range of 5.5
to 7. It can with stand slight alkalinity and salinity also. Heavy clay and black cotton soils are not suitable
for high yield.
CROPPING SYSTEM: Generally, niger is grown as kharif and late kharif crop. Short duration crops
like cowpea and french bean can be taken up before niger in Odisha. For getting higher yield of both the
crops the first crop should be sown in such a way that niger could be sown latest by August.
Sequence cropping: Some of the common crop sequences followed in different niger growing states are
given below (Table 6).
Table 6: Sequence cropping in different states.
State Crop sequence
Madhya Pradesh/ Chhattisgarh Early Black gram – Niger
Maharashtra Little millet/ Finger millet – Niger
Horse gram – Niger
Odisha Common millet (Panicum miliaceum) – Niger
Little millet (Panicum miliare) – Niger
Early Finger millet – Niger
French bean – Niger
Bihar/ Jharkhand Little millet – Niger
Early Finger millet – Niger
Black gram – Niger
Early rice – Niger

Intercropping: Niger is grown as a mixed crop with various pulses and other crops including millets in
different states. However, the seed yield of sole crop is higher than that of mixed/intercropping system.
Following intercropping systems have been found profitable and feasible in certain situations (Table 7).
Table 7: Inter cropping in different states.
State Intercropping Row ratio
Madhya Pradesh Niger + Kodo/ Kutki/ Pearl millet/ Green gram 2:2
Niger + Groundnut 4:2 or 6:2

9
 Maharashtra Niger + Finger millet / Horse gram/ Rice bean 2:2 or 4:2
Niger + Finger millet/Little millet 2:4 or 3:6
Niger + Pearl millet/ Groundnut 3:3
Niger + Groundnut 2:6 or 3:6
Odisha Niger + Finger millet / Black gram 2:2 or 4:2
Niger + Ricebean/ Cowpea/ French bean 4:2
Bihar Niger + Finger millet / Black gram 2:2
Niger + Red gram 3:2
Niger + Rice bean / Groundnut 4:2
Andhra Pradesh Niger + Cow pea 4:2
Karnataka Niger + Groundnut 6:3
Niger + Finger millet 1:1

AGRONOMIC MANAGEMENT: Niger is sown under rainfed situations in kharif, late kharif and rabi
seasons as a sole crop or mixed with little millet, finger millet, pearl millet, groundnut or pulse crops in
different states.
Land Preparation: Two deep ploughings followed by harrowing and planking are recommended to obtain
optimum soil tilth to ensure even depth of seed placement and subsequent emergence.
Optimum time of Sowing: Niger is mainly grown in Kharif, but it can be successfully grown in semi rabi
and late kharif seasons with limited irrigation. However it is a winter loving crop and high yield are obtained
in semi rabi season with protective irrigation. Being exclusively a rainfed crop, niger is grown with the onset
of monsoon. The optimum sowing time is middle of July to early August for kharif crop and September for
semi rabi crop. Appropriate sowing period for different states is given below (Table 8).
Table 8: Sowing period in different states.
State Optimum time of sowing
Madhya Pradesh/ Chhattisgarh Third week of July to second week of August
Maharashtra July to early September
Odisha Second fortnight of August to first week of September
Bihar/ Jharkhand Second fortnight of August to first week of September
Andhra Pradesh Second week of August
Gujarat July-August
Karnataka June-July
Seed rate: The seed rate depends on the method of sowing. Generally 5 kg/ha seed is required for the sole
crop. Under inter cropping system, seed rate depends upon the spacing and row proportions of the inter crop.
Seed treatment: To protect the crop from seed and soil borne diseases, seed should be treated with
Carbendenzim 5 g/kg or Trichoderma viride 10 g/kg of seed before sowing. Seed treatment with Phosphorus
solublising bacteria (PSB)/Azotobactor/ Azospirillum 10g/kg of seed results in higher seed yield.
Sowing method: The crop is generally sown by broadcasting. However, line sowing behind the seed drill or
plough has been found beneficial and recommended. Seeds are mixed with sand/ powdered FYM/ ash to
increase the bulk, 20 times to ensure even distribution of seed. Planking is done to cover the seed. On slopes,
line sowing, across the slope is recommended for better soil as well as moisture conservation and efficient
utilization of available moisture.

10
Seeding depth: In niger Seed should be sown to 2-3 cm deep depending upon soil type in and moisture.
Sowing should be done in adequate moisture for better germination. Seed bed temperature of 15-22oC is
optimum. Temperatures below 10 oC and above 35 oC impairs germination.
Spacing: Spacing depends upon soil type and varieties. To obtain optimum yield, appropriate spacing and
recommended plant population should be maintained (Table 9).
Table 9: Plant spacing in different states.
State Spacing (cm)
Maharashtra 30 x 10
20 x 10 (High rainfall areas)
Madhya Pradesh/ Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, 30 x 10
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Odisha

Thinning The normal seed rate recommended for niger results in higher plant stand under optimum soil
moisture. To maintain optimum plant population (3.3 lakh/ha), thinning is recommended to remove extra
plants after two weeks of sowing or when the seedlings attain 8-10 cm height.
Nutrient management: Following fertilizer doses are recommended to obtain higher seed yield (Table 10).
Table 10: Nutrient management in different states.
State Recommended dose of fertilizer
Madhya Pradesh 20:20:10, N:P:K (kg/ha) at the time of sowing as basal and remaining 20 kg N/ha at
30 days after sowing
Maharashtra Four tonnes of FYM and 20:20, N:P (kg/ha) at the time of sowing and 20 kg N/ha 30
days after sowing (Top Dressing)
Odisha 20:40, N:P (kg/ha) at sowing and remaining 20 kg N/ha at 30 days after sowing
Bihar/ Jharkhand 20:20:20:15, N:P:K:S (kg/ha) as basal
Andhra Pradesh Five tonnes of FYM and 10 kg N/ha at sowing
Karnataka 20:20-40:10, N:P:K ( kg/ha) at sowing

 Application of recommended N through urea + seed treatment with PSB 10 g/kg seed enhances seed
yield significantly.
 Application of sulphur (20-30 kg/ha) increases seed yield and oil content.
Weeding: First weeding is done 15-20 days after sowing coupled with thinning. Second weeding may be
repeated after 15 days after the first weeding if the weed intensity is too high before top dressing of
nitrogenous fertilizer. In some states like Odisha, Cuscuta (Cuscuta hyalina/ C. chinensis) infestation has
become a major problem. Seed should be obtained from Cuscuta free areas. If the Cuscuta seed is found
mixed with niger seed, sowing should be done after separation by sieving with a 1 mm sieve. The niger seed
infested with Cuscuta may be treated with 10 % brine solution (Table salt) to obtain a Cuscuta free crop.
Irrigation: Niger is invariably grown in rainy season without any irrigation. Prolonged moisture stress
adversely affects plant stand and growth of the plant. In such situations, protective irrigation, wherever
possible, helps in plant stand establishment and gives better seed yield. For semi-rabi crop one or two need
based irrigations, one at flowering and other at seed filling stage gives higher yield.

11
PLANT PROTECTION: The major insect pests and diseases and their management are given in Table 11
and 12 respectively.
Table 11: Insect pests and their management.
Common name Nature of damage Management / control
Niger caterpillar The caterpillar green with  Proper weeding reduces hiding places
(Condica purple markings, feed on  Crop rotation is effective in reducing pest
conducta) leaves and defoliates the population
plants.  Birds readily eat the caterpillars and help to check
when they are numerous, 40-50 bird perches are
sufficient for one hectare
 For effective control of the pests particularly at
early stage, apply phorate 10G 10 kg /ha as basal
application.
 Spray NSKE 5% or Neem based insecticide
(Nimbecidin 5 ml/l water)
 Two sprays of Chloropyriphos 20 EC 1.5 ml/l or
Quinalphos 25 EC 1.5 ml/l or Triazophos 40 EC 1
ml/l of water
Cutworm The moth hides under dried  Keep grass bundles or crop refuges in cluster in
(Agrotis ipsilon) twigs during day time and field for the caterpillars to hide during evening and
lays eggs on leaves. Larvae collect the caterpillars early in the morning and kill
attack the crop and plants at by dusting 4% phosalone or malathion 5% dust
ground level.  Proper weeding reduces hiding places
 Crop rotation effective in reducing pest population
 For effective control of the pests particularly at
early stage, apply phorate 10 G 10 kg/ha as basal
application
 Spray NSKE 5% or Neem based insecticide
(Nimbecidin 5 ml/l water)
 Two sprays of Chloropyriphos 20 EC 1.5 ml/l or
Quinalphos 25 EC 1.5 ml/l of water
Bihar Hairy The caterpillars remain  Collection and destruction of egg masses of early
caterpillar gregarious under neath leaves instars of caterpillars
(Spilosoma in early stages and cause  Spray NSKE 5% or Neem based insecticide
obliqua) serious loss in yield at third (Nimbecidin 5 ml/l water)
and fourth instar.  Two spraying of any one of the following
insecticides Chloropyriphos 20 EC 1.5 ml/l or
Triazophos 40 EC 1 ml/l or Quinalphos 25 EC 1.5
ml/l or Acephate 75% SP 1.5 g/l or Indoxacarb 15.8
EC 0.5 ml/l
Surface These are usually active in  Dusting with 4% phosalone or malathion 5% dust
grasshopper early stage of the crop. These 25 kg/ha can control the pest in early stage
(Chrotogonus sp.) grass hoppers being general
feeders also cause damage to
a great extent in its early
stage.
Aphids This is one of the sucking pest  Spray NSKE 5% or Neem based insecticide
(Uroleucon of niger during later period of (Nimbecidin 5 ml/l)
carthami) crop growth.  Spray crop at bud initiation stage with any one of
the following insecticides dimethoate 30 EC
1.5ml/l or Quinalphos 25 EC 1.5 ml/l or
Dichlorvos 76 EC 1 ml/l or Triazophos 40 EC 1
ml/l or Imidacloprid 17.8% SL 0.25ml/l
Semilooper The semilooper feeds on the  As recommended in case of hairy caterpillar
(Plusia leaves and defoliates the
orichalcea) plant.

12
Niger capsule fly Maggot feed on seed and pulp  Install the light trap one per ha.
(Dioxyma inside the capitula.  Spray Quinalphos 25 EC 1.5 ml/l or Acephate
sarorcula) 75% SP 1.5 g/l of water

Table 12: Important diseases and their management.

Disease Symptoms Management
(Causal organism)
Cercospora leaf spot Disease appears as small straw to  Seed treatment with Thiram (0.2%) + Bavistin
(Cercospora guizoticola) brown coloured spots with gray (0.1%)
centre on the leaves, spots may  Two foliar sprays with Bavistin (0.1%) +
coalesce causing defoliation. Dithane M 45 (0.25%)
Alternaria leaf spot Spots are brown to black with  Seed treatment with Thiram (0.2%)+ Bavistin
(Alternaria sp.) concentric rings. (0.1%)
 Spraying with Dithane M 45 (0.25%) + Bavistin
(0.1%) at 15 days interval
Powdery mildew Small powdery spots appear on  Foliar spray of 0.2% Wettable sulphur or
(Sphaerotheca sp.) leaves, which gradually spread on Bavistin (0.1%) or Karathane (0.1%) when
the lamina and stem resulting in disease appears
defoliation.
Stem/root rot Infected roots are light blackish to  Seed treatment with Thiram (0.2%) + Bavistin
(Macrophomina black in colour, which are covered (0.1%)
phaseolina) with black sclerotia and are brittle.  Deep ploughing in the summer
The blackening extends from ground  Crop rotation
level upward on the stem giving  Apply 2.5 kg/ha Trichoderma Viride mixing
black colour to stem. with 50 kg FYM in the field before sowing
Cuscuta weed Infested plants are stunted, pale  Removal of Cuscuta seed by seiving before
(Cuscuta chinensis/ yellow with small flowers. sowing
C. hyalina)  Steeping of Cuscuta seed in brine solution before
sowing
 Removal of Cuscuta infested niger seedlings at
the early crop growth
 Pre sowing soil application of Fluchloralin (1 kg
a.i./ha)
 Pre emergence application of Pendimethalin (1
kg a.i./ha)
HARVESTING: Niger usually matures in 95-105 days after sowing. The crop should be harvested when the
leaves dry up and the capitula turns brownish / blackish in colour.
THRESHING: After drying for a week by stacking, the crop is threshed by beating with sticks.
POST HARVEST HANDLING: The threshed material is cleaned by winnowing. The produce is dried for
quality upgradation to reduce moisture content upto 8% and then stored properly. The quality of produce
should be upgraded through sieving, as neat and clean produce with bold lustrous seed, free from trash, pests
and discoloured unfilled seed, find greater demand and fetch better price in the market.
BEE KEEPING: Existence of self incompatibility, sticky pollen grains not amicable for wind pollination,
consequently results in entomophyllous pollination. Large number of attractive coloured flowers, well
distributed long flowering period of 45-80 days, make niger the ideal crop for bee keeping. The productivity
and profitability of niger is substantially increased through bee keeping. An additional yield (10 to 20 %) +
Rs. 1500/ha from honey can be realized through bee keeping with niger over open pollinated crop.

13
ECONOMICS OF CULTIVATION: With the adoption of improved technology, the seed yield upto 450
kg/ha, gross returns of Rs. 15000/ha and the net additional returns of Rs. 4200/ha can be obtained.
Table 13: Economics of improved technology under real farm situations (FLD’s).
Seed yield Cost of cultivation Gross returns Additional net Benefit
State (kg/ha) (Rs./ha) (Rs./ha) returns (Rs./ha) cost ratio
Bihar 446 7586 15598 4328 2.05
Jharkhand 407 8000 12210 2370 1.53
Haryana 422 11700 21200 5340 1.81
Maharashtra 498 9740 21260 7137 2.18
Odisha 332 7603 9660 1700 1.27
India 421 8926 15986 4175 1.79
CROP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME: In India Niger is predominantly grown in tribal pockets of
Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Niger is cultivated
under varying agro climatic conditions. Inspite of maximum acreage in the world, the productivity of the
crop is low in India, around 300 to 350 kg/ha. The short term and long term strategies, which could
increase the production and productivity of the crop need to be followed. The quality seed of high
yielding varieties to the farmers is not available. For that improvement in the seed chain is needed so that
foundation and certified seed are produced in larger quantities. Replacement of old local varieties,
development of integrated nutrient management, integrated weed management for Cuscuta and low
cost production technology has to be ensured for improvement in production. The improved production
technology for niger would increase productivity considerably. Farmers should be encouraged to include
organic manures and bio pesticides for sustainability in production. For export promotion development
of black, bold seeded varieties is needed. Seed production programme and quality seed supply could be
taken through seed villages.

Improved production technology has been developed for niger. However because of poor
extension system, the technology does not reach to the farmers. In order to motivate them, they must be
approached through mass media. Improvement in transfer of technology through large number of FLDs to
demonstrate the benefit of technology in remote tribal pockets must be encouraged. Supply of bee hives in
niger growing areas should be ensured.
Research responsibility of niger centres
Development of high yielding, fertilizer Chhindwara, Semiliguda, Kanke, Igatpuri, Vanarasi
responsive varieties
Seed production technology Chhindwara, Semiliguda, Kanke, Igatpuri, Vanarasi,
Integrated management of Cuscuta Semiliguda, Kanke

Export of Niger: Despite low productivity and production, the contribution to the export earnings has
been encouraging. India is the world leader in production and export of niger therefore, the world markets
will continue to be influenced by the niger production and marketable surplus. The quality of the produce
to suit the international standards will continue to be important. Therefore, to enhance the export, a three
tier strategy involving research, production and export agencies need to be developed. A close

14
coordination of these agencies can produce synergistic effect on the export promotion. Niger seed is one
of the major ingredients of the bird feed, which comprises a mixture of safflower, sunflower seed,
peanuts, field peas, corn and other ingredients. The size of world bird feed market is increasing every
year. India could earn the foreign exchange of Rs. 100 crores by export of niger seed and the oil meal.
India is the largest exporter in the world and USA, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Belgium and Spain are
the regular buyers. USA is the largest buyer in the world. In fact, India faces competition from Nepal in
the export.

Table 14 : Year-wise Export status of Niger(India)

Year Quantity ('000 Value (Rs. in Year Quantity ('000 Value (Rs. in
tonnes) crores) tonnes) crores)
2001-02 22.22 47.85 2007-08 21.68 90.23
2002-03 36.13 77.99 2008-09 13.72 64.23
2003-04 17.89 45.41 2009-10 6.00 24.23
2004-05 26.14 64.74 2010-11 12.86 44.51
2005-06 28.42 60.25 2011-12 28.22 117.27
2006-07 30.02 66.87 2012-13 17.90 90.13

SWOT Analysis: Lifeline of tribal agriculture and economy; Maximum production and largest area in
world; Maximum export in international market; High export potential, best bird feed; Low vulnerability to
pests and diseases; Low input requirement, grows successfully without costly chemicals is the strength. Low
yield levels; Low harvest index; Poor transfer and adoption of improved technology; High susceptibility to
Cuscuta are the weaknesses. Best crop for waste lands; Honeybees rearing for higher productivity and
profitability; Contributes to soil conservation and land rehabilitation; Weed suppression due to allelopathic
effect; Oil good, taste akin to desi ghee; Good for health <70% unsaturated fatty acids; Organic production
of edible oil, a commodity for 21st century are opportunities. Exploitation of the farmers by the traders;
Nepal is a potential competitor in the international market; Cuscuta-a major menace of the crop are the
threats.
Diversified uses: The niger oil is used for cooking, lighting, anointing, painting and cleaning of machinery.
The oil is used for pharmaceutical purposes and can be used for soap-making. The meal remaining after the
oil extraction contains about 24% protein and 24% crude fibre. A niger-based agar medium can be used to
distinguish Cryptococcus neoformans (Sant) Vaill, a fungus that causes a serious brain ailment, from other
fungi. The oil is used for birth control and for the treatment of syphilis. Niger sprouts mixed with garlic and
‘tej’ are used to treat coughs.
Exploitable Yield Reservoir: The impact of improved niger production technologies implied that there
exists a wide yield gap that could have been harnessed by the adoption of recommended niger production
practices. The efforts were made to work out the extent of exploitable yield reservoir that could be harnessed
in niger. Keeping in view, the whole package demonstrations of three years (2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13)
conducted in Maharashtra (35), Odisha (32), Madhya Pradesh (38), Jharkhand (52) and All India (157) were
considered (Table 13). The yield Gap-I (between IT and FP) was ranging from 60.0 % in Maharashtra to
15
149.0 % in Odisha. The national niger production could be increased to 185.0 thousand tonne from 101.0
thousand tonne, if the yield gap-I is bridged. The yield gap-II (Which is the percent increase in the yield in IT
over the state average yield) ranged between 68 % in Jharkhand to 146 % in Madhya Pradesh with an overall
yield gap-II of 75.0% for whole country. The exploitable yield reservoir I (EP-I) ranged between 6.89
thousand tonnes in Jharkhand to 81.0 thousand tonnes in Odisha. The EP-II value ranged between 7.0
thousand tonnes in Jharkhand to 60.0 thousand tones in Madhya Pradesh. The over all EP-I was 185
thousand tonnes in India while EP-II was of 178.0 thousand tonnes.

Table 13 : Exploitable yield reservoir in niger

No. of FLD’S Average Yield Average Yield Average Expected
State Demos. Yield (kg/ha) gap-I yield gap-II Production production (‘000
(%) (kg/ha) (%) (‘000 tonnes)
IT FP tonnes) EP-I EP-II
Jharkhand 52 704.6 426.3 65.2 419.33 68.04 4.17 6.89 7.00
Maharashtra 35 496.0 310.00 60.0 279.67 77.35 9.33 14.93 16.55
Madhya
Pradesh 38 603.0 293.33 105.5 245.00 146.12 24.50 50.36 60.30
Odisha 32 277.6 111.33 149.4 382.33 - 32.67 81.47 23.72
All India 157 520.3 285.25 82.4 296.00 75.79 101.57 185.27 178.54
IT=Improved Technology; FP=Farmer’s Practices; yield gap-I=Increase in IT over FP expressed in percentage.

Tips to obtain higher yield:

 Use good quality seed of recommended variety for the region.
 Treat the seed with fungicide before sowing.
 Apply recommended dose of fertilizers at proper time.
 Prepare fine seed bed free from clods.
 Take up sowing at appropriate time with proper spacing between rows and maintain proper spacing
between plants within the rows by thinning 15-20 days after sowing.
 Keep the field weed free up to 30 days after sowing.
 Adopt plant protection measures as and when needed against insect pests and diseases. Avoid
applying insecticide during flowering period to safeguard the honey bees aiding pollination.
 Harvest the crop at physiological maturity i.e. when the leaves turn yellow and achene’s turn black to
avoid damage and shattering of seed.
 Dry the plants well before threshing; dry the seed well before storage.
 Rearing honeybees in bee hives near niger field will add Rs. 3500/ha in the net income of farmers.

16
17
18
19