Editing Finger millet (section)

== Climate requirements ==
Finger millet is a [[short-day plant]] with a growing optimum 12 hours of daylight for most varieties. Its main growing area ranges from 20°N to 20°S, meaning mainly the semiarid to arid tropics. Nevertheless, finger millet is found to be grown at 30°N in the [[Himalayas|Himalaya]] region (India and Nepal). It is generally considered as a drought-tolerant crop, but compared with other millets, such as [[pearl millet]] and [[sorghum]], it prefers moderate rainfall ({{convert|500|mm|in|abbr=on|disp=or}} annually). The majority of worldwide finger millet farmers grow it rainfed, although yields often can be significantly improved when irrigation is applied. In India, finger millet is a typical'' rabi'' (dry-winter season) crop. Heat tolerance of finger millet is high. For Ugandan finger millet varieties, for instance, the optimal average growth temperature ranges at about 27&nbsp;°C, while the minimal temperatures should not be lower than 18&nbsp;°C. Relative to other species (pearl millet and sorghum), finger millet has a higher tolerance to cool temperatures. It is grown from about {{Convert|500 to 2400|m}} above sea level (e.g. in the Himalaya region). Hence, it can be cultivated on higher elevations than most tropical crops. Finger millet can grow on various soils, including highly weathered tropical [[Laterite|lateritic]] soils. It thrives in free-draining soils with steady moisture levels. Furthermore, it can tolerate [[soil salinity]] up to a certain extent. Its ability to bear waterlogging is limited, so good drainage of the soils and moderate water-holding capacity are optimal.<ref name=":0" /> Finger millet can tolerate moderately acidic soils (pH 5), but also moderately alkaline soils (pH 8.2).<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |author=H.D. Upadhyaya |author2=V. Gopal Reddy |author3=D.V.S.S.R. Sastry|name-list-style=amp |year=2008 |title=Regeneration guidelines Fingermillet|url=http://cropgenebank.sgrp.cgiar.org/index.php/regeneration-guidelines-of-crops/finger-millet-mainmenu-403 |journal=Crop Specific Regeneration Guidelines|via=[[ICRISAT]]+[[CGIAR]]}}</ref>