Giant Bajra: The variety was developed by MPKV, Rahuri by intervarietal hybridization between Australian and local bajra from Dhule district followed by selections. The variety has been recommended for cultivation in entire bajra growing area. Plants are leafy with profuse tillering and have 9-10% protein at boot stage. The variety is good for hay and silage making. It is moderately resistant to downy mildew and ergot diseases. The green fodder yield is 50–75 t/ha. (CVRC Notification no. 295(E) dated 9th April 1985).
Raj Bajra Chari-2: The variety was developed by RAU, Jobner after two cycles of full sib selection in a population created through random mating among 20 crosses of four inbreds (originating from west Africa). It has been notified for cultivation for entire bajra growing area. The green fodder yield is 30–45 t/ha and is resistant to foliar diseases and insect-pests. At ear emergence stage, internodes are completely covered (enclosed) in the leaf sheath and the leaves are broad and shining. (CVRC Notification no. 386(E) dated 15th May 1990).
CO-8: The variety was bred by TNAU, Coimbatore by hybridization (732 A × Sweet Giant Bajra) followed by pedigree selection. It was released for entire bajra growing areas of the country. It is ready for fodder harvest in 50–55 days and produces green fodder to the tune of 30 t/ha. It has soft stem with high leaf stem ratio and is highly palatable. The variety has pale yellow green bristles on panicles at flowering. (CVRC Notification no. 615(E) dated 17th August 1993).
TNSC-1: The variety was bred by TNAU, Coimbatore and recommended for cultivation in the entire bajra growing area of the country in 1995. The variety provides 27–40 t/ha green fodder and is resistant to foliar diseases and insect-pests.
APFB-2: The variety was developed by recurrent selection in the randomly mated population at ANGRAU, Hyderabad in 1997. It was recommended for cultivation in Andhra Pradesh. It belongs to early maturity group, non-lodging, fertilizer responsive, best suited to summer and early Kharif sowings. The plant height is 160–180 cm providing green fodder yield 25 t/ha and dry fodder yield 5.5 t/ha in a single cut. The variety is useful for multi-cut also in the summer season.
Proagro No. 1 (FMH-3): This variety was developed by Proagro Seed Company, Hyderabad through hybridization of PSP-21 × PP-23. The variety is recommended for cultivation throughout the pearl millet growing areas of the country. The plants require 50- 55 days for flowering and matures in 90-95 days. The variety is highly resistant to downy mildew and provides 75 t/ha green fodder in multi cut system and 36 t/ha in single cut system. (CVRC-Notification no 401(E) 15th May 1998).
GFB-1: The variety has been bred by GAU, Anand and released in 2005.
PCB-164: The variety has been developed by PAU, Ludhiana from five late maturing lines. It was released and notified for cultivation in north west India. (CVRC Notification no. 1178(E) dated 20th July 2007).
FBC-16: The variety has been bred by PAU, Ludhiana and notified for cultivation in the entire north-west India. This is a multi-cut variety, resistant to major diseases. The variety has low concentration of oxalates and high voluntary dry matter intake by the animals. The green fodder yield potential is 70–80 t/ha. (CVRC Notification no. 1178(E) dated 20th July 2007).
Avika Bajra Chari (AVKB-19): The variety has been bred by IGFRI- RRS, Avikanagar by selection from material collected from Nagore, Rajasthan in 2006. The variety is recommended for cultivation in the state of western Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Tarai region of Uttarakhand. The variety is a dual purpose with green fodder yield potential of 36.7 t/ha, dry fodder 8.8 t/ha and 10.2 q/ha seed yield.
Narendra Chara Bajra-2 (NDFB- 2): The variety has been developed by NDUA&T, Faizabad and is recommended for cultivation in pearl millet growing areas in north-east zone under salt-affected soils. (CVRC Notification no. 449(E) dated 11th February 2009).
