Millet Crop [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br] and its constraints to production: review

Abstract

Millet is the 7th largest cereal in the world. It is the Sahelian culture par excellence because of its adaptation to the particular conditions of production in this region. Niger is the second largest producer of millet in Africa after Nigeria. Millet is found to be characteristic of the most dominant cropping systems occupying more than 65% of the area planted. However, the growth and productivity of millet is hampered by the incidence of fungal diseases such as [Sclerospora graminicola (Sacc)] mildew, insects such as the caterpillar [Heliocheilus albipunctella (De Joannis)], stem borers [Coniesta ignefusalis (Hampson)], weeds and birds. To these are added a deficit water balance, the gradual decline in soil fertility, the cultivation of marginal lands and the absence of fallow land. In addition, although several research topics on millet have been discussed, it is easy to see that few studies are conducted on the integrated management of pearl millet pests. This work based on the literature review aims to give a general overview of the studies carried out on the cultivation of millet and its constraints to production in general and particularly on the pests of pearl millet and their methods of control. Current research topics on pearl millet revolve around improving the productivity of the plant, creating resistant (or tolerant) varieties of diseases and insects, chemical, mechanical and biological control of the pests of pearl millet. This bibliographic synthesis offers a vision of the scientific research carried out on the culture of the pearl millet, its constraints to the production and makes it possible better to direct the future research to be carried out in the fight against the pests of the pearl millet such as the downy mildew and the stems borer of pearl millet so to improve the yield of this cereal how important in arid and semi-arid areas.