Skip to content
Technical Kisanखेती, तकनीक के साथ
ENहिं
Finger Millet (Ragi)KharifFinger millet varietyUpdated 28 August 2026

CO 15

A TNAU Coimbatore finger-millet variety for Tamil Nadu, suited to both irrigated and rainfed conditions with a bold grain.

SeasonKharif
Maturity periodAbout 110–115 days
Expected yieldAround 30–40 q/ha under irrigation; good response to management
Suitable soilRed loam and well-drained irrigated soils

Quick facts

Crop
Finger Millet (Ragi)
Type
Finger millet variety
Season
Kharif
Maturity period
About 110–115 days
Seed rate
About 5 kg/ha for the nursery of a transplanted crop; 8–10 kg/ha for line sowing
Expected yield
Around 30–40 q/ha under irrigation; good response to management
Suitable soil
Red loam and well-drained irrigated soils
Release
Released by TNAU Coimbatore for Tamil Nadu; suited to irrigated and rainfed conditions

About this variety

CO 15 is a finger-millet variety from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, in its long line of CO ragi releases. It is grown across Tamil Nadu and neighbouring tracts under both irrigated and rainfed conditions, is noted for a bold grain and a good response to fertiliser and water, and is one of the standard recommendations for the state.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeFinger millet variety
    MaturityAbout 110–115 days
    Yield potentialAround 30–40 q/ha under irrigation; good response to management
    Disease resistanceModerate blast resistance; follow local advisories
    SoilRed loam and well-drained irrigated soils
    SeasonKharif

Sowing & cultivation

  • Sowing timeKharif nursery mid-June to July; Tamil Nadu also grows rabi and summer ragi under irrigation, sown around September–October and December–January
  • Seed rateAbout 5 kg/ha for the nursery of a transplanted crop; 8–10 kg/ha for line sowing
  • Spacing22.5–30 cm between rows, about 10 cm within the row, 2 seedlings per hill when transplanting
  • Sowing methodTransplanting is standard for the irrigated Tamil Nadu crop; line sowing for rainfed fields
  • IrrigationUnder irrigation, water at establishment, panicle initiation and grain filling; the crop responds strongly to assured water
  • FertilizerAround 60:30:30 kg N:P2O5:K2O per hectare under irrigation with farmyard manure, nitrogen split; less on a rainfed crop
  • HarvestingAbout 110–115 days to maturity; harvest the ear-heads at brown, hard grain, dry and thresh

Soil & climate

Soil

Suitable soil
Red loam and well-drained soils; performs best with assured moisture and nutrition
pH
5.5–8.0

Climate

Climate
Grown in Tamil Nadu across kharif, rabi and summer seasons; blast pressure is highest in a humid kharif flowering

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

About 110–115 days

Expected yield

Around 30–40 q/ha under irrigation; good response to management

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

Pest & disease considerations

Management notes

  • Treat seed and scout at flowering; blast pressure in the Tamil Nadu kharif crop can be high in a wet year
  • CO 15 rewards good nutrition and water — an under-managed crop gives up much of its yield advantage

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • Grows across irrigated and rainfed conditions in Tamil Nadu
  • Bold grain, good market acceptance
  • Strong response to fertiliser and irrigation

Things to consider

  • Only moderate blast resistance — not the pick for a chronically blast-hit block
  • Recommended for Tamil Nadu conditions; confirm suitability before growing it elsewhere

Suitable regions

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

  • Tamil Nadu
  • Karnataka
  • Andhra Pradesh

Frequently asked questions

Where is CO 15 ragi grown?

Mainly Tamil Nadu, where it is a TNAU recommendation for both irrigated and rainfed finger millet, and neighbouring tracts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Tamil Nadu also grows it as a rabi and summer crop under irrigation.

How long does CO 15 take to mature?

About 110–115 days from sowing.

Sourced from: Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) — crop varieties, ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research — finger millet varieties. editorial policy.