Jowar is the most important crop in Maharashtra occupying the highest area of 55 lakh hectares with 36 per cent of the total cropped area under this crop. Jowar is grown both in Kharif and Rabi seasons. There is more area in Rabi season (about 32 lakh hectares than in Kharif about 23 lakh hectares). Generally the colour of jowar grains is pearly white and very attractive Bhakari (Bread) prepared for Jowar grains is very tasty and relished by rural people, particularly by the farming community. It is good for health also. Jowar fodder is also nutritious and commonly fed to farm and dairy animals.

However Kharif crop has some problems. Many high yielding and hybrid varieties are grown in Kharif season. If there are rains during the stages of grain formation and grain filling when the crop attains maturity, the grains get spoiled. Due to rains at this time humidity in the atmosphere increases and temperature is also reduced. This particular micro-climate is favorable for the growth of reddish-purple fungs (Fugarium). This leads to the development of black fungus. The Jowar grains become black and unfit for human consumption and the market price of the grains is also drastically reduced. Therefore farmers are put to great loss and there is a general loss in foodgrain production. To overcome this serious problem, the scientists of Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhani made untiring and sustainable efforts for some years, and developed appropriate Jowar variety PVK-801 which is recently released for general cultivation by the States Seed-Release Sub Committee. The variety PVK 801 is named as "Parbhani Sweta" (word "Sweta" means white).

The grains of this variety are not affected by the fungus prevailing at the time of grain-filling like other varieties. The grains do not become black but remain pearly white and hence the name "Sweta".

The other qualities of this variety are :-

1. Although this variety is not the hybrid one,it has many qualities of hybrid variety.
2. It is resistant to fungal diseases and hence original colour of grains is not affected.
3. The grains are bold and pearly-white in colour. Weight of 1000 grains is 30 gms.
4. The taste and quality of Bhakri (Bread) is good.
5. The fodder is nutrious and relished by animals.
6. The plants do not lodge on the ground and hence no spoilage.
7. Germination percentage is good.
8. The yield is higher than other varieties and it is easy for threshing.
9. It gives good response to fertilizer application.
10. Since it is a straight variety (not hybrid) farmers can reproduce the seed of their own.
11. The grain yield is 35 to 37 Q/ha and fodder yield is 95 to 100 Q/ha

Suitable areas in Maharashtra and Karnataka where the problem of blackening of Jowar is serious.

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