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Bajra (Pearl Millet)KharifOpen-pollinatedUpdated 12 August 2026

Pusa Composite 383

An open-pollinated composite for the driest bajra tracts — lower ceiling than a hybrid, but seed can be saved for the next season.

SeasonKharif
Maturity period70–75 days
Expected yield16–20 q/ha
Suitable soilSandy / light soil

Quick facts

Crop
Bajra (Pearl Millet)
Type
Open-pollinated
Season
Kharif
Maturity period
70–75 days
Expected yield
16–20 q/ha
Suitable soil
Sandy / light soil
Release
ICAR-IARI, New Delhi (no fetchable primary source states an exact release year)

About this variety

Pusa Composite 383 is an open-pollinated pearl millet variety bred by ICAR-IARI, listed in the institute’s own variety catalogue as dual-purpose (grain and fodder), resistant to downy mildew, and of good fodder quality. It is recommended across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Delhi. Being an open-pollinated composite rather than a hybrid, farmers can save seed from the harvest for the next season, at the cost of a lower yield ceiling than a hybrid such as HHB 67 Improved or RHB 177.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeOpen-pollinated
    Maturity70–75 days
    Yield potential16–20 q/ha
    Disease resistanceModerate downy mildew tolerance
    SoilSandy / light soil
    SeasonKharif

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

70–75 days

Expected yield

16–20 q/ha

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • Being open-pollinated, seed can be saved from the harvest for the next season — no need to buy fresh hybrid seed every year
  • Dual-purpose: IARI lists it as good for both grain and fodder quality, useful where the crop also feeds livestock
  • Wide recommendation footprint across seven states (Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi)

Things to consider

  • IARI’s own catalogue lists an average yield of 2.2–2.4 t/ha (22–24 q/ha), somewhat above this record’s conservative 16–20 q/ha field figure — treat the higher number as institute-trial potential and the lower one as a realistic farmer-field expectation.

Suitable regions

States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.

  • Rajasthan
  • Haryana
  • Uttar Pradesh

Sourced from: Pearl Millet varieties/hybrids — IARI Technology Transfer Unit. editorial policy.