Indian barnyard millet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Indian barnyard millet |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Echinochloa
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| Species: |
frumentacea
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Echinochloa frumentacea is a type of grain often called Indian barnyard millet. You might also hear it called sawa millet or billion dollar grass. It's a close relative of another grain called Japanese millet. This special grain is grown a lot in countries like India, Pakistan, and Nepal.
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About Indian Barnyard Millet
This millet comes from a wild tropical grass called Echinochloa colona. We don't know exactly when or where people first started growing it. It's often grown in places where other crops, like rice, don't grow very well. This makes it a very important food source for many communities.
How People Use It
The grains of Indian barnyard millet are used in many ways. People often cook them in water, just like rice. Sometimes, they boil the grains with milk and sugar to make a sweet dish. It can even be fermented to make beer!
In some parts of India, these seeds are a regular part of people's meals. They are also very special for religious fasting in Hinduism. During fasting, people choose to avoid certain foods. Because of this, the seeds are often called "vrat ke chawal" in Hindi. This means "rice for fasting."
Other Names for This Millet
This millet has many different names depending on the language and region.
- In Kannada, it's called oodalu (ಊದಲು).
- In Bangla, it's known as Shyamak (শ্যামাক) or Shyama Chal (শ্যামা চাল).
- In the Garhwal Hills, it's called jhangora.
- In Marathi-speaking areas, it's known as bhagar (भगर).
- In Gujarati, people call it samo or morio (also mario, moraiaya).
- In Tamil, it's called kuthiraivaali (குதிரைவாளி).
Plant Pests
Like many plants, Indian barnyard millet can be affected by different insect pests. These insects can cause damage to the plant at various stages of its growth.
Root and Seedling Pests
Some insects attack the roots of the plant. These are called root feeders, like certain types of white grubs. Other pests, called seedling feeders, attack the young plants. These include shoot flies and armyworms.
Sucking and Leaf Pests
Some insects are "sucking pests." They use their mouthparts to suck the sap (plant juice) from the plant. Examples include leafhoppers and plant hoppers. Other insects are "leaf feeders." They chew holes in the leaves, like grasshoppers and leaf caterpillars.
Grain Pests
Finally, some bugs attack the developing grains themselves. These pests can reduce the amount of food the plant produces.
