Traditional millet varieties to control lifestyle diseases

Abstract

Traditional cumbu is cultivated in many areas of Trichy District, Particularly Kampalathupatti village of Manapparai Taluk, says that this traditional variety exists for more than 100 years. The apt season for cultivating this cumbu is Aadi pattern (July-August). It is well suited for garden land and dry land eco system. Since it is a rain fed crop, direct sowing is the sown during Aadi pattern and harvesting can be done in the month of Margazhi (January). Manual harvesting is done by using sickle, where the ear head alone is cut from the stem and collected. Kona cholam, sorghum is cultivated as an irrigated crop. All type of soil suitable for this sorghum cultivation. Chittan samai is cultivated traditionally in Alangayam, Javathu Malai village at Vellore district. Samai is cultivated during the month of June-August. Land is well ploughed and seeds are sown through Hans sowing. In one acre of land, 12 kg seeds are required.