Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica)
- Botanical Name: Setaria italica
- Chromosome Number (2n): 18
- Origin: China (one of the oldest cultivated millets, ~5000–6000 years old)
- Nickname: Italian millet / Kakun / Kangni / Thinai (Tamil)
- Pollination: Self-pollinated
- Inflorescence: Dense, cylindrical panicle resembling a fox’s tail
- Protein Content: 11–12%
- Special Feature: Oldest cultivated millet, highly adaptable to poor soils and drylands
Nutritional Value
- Rich in dietary fiber, protein, calcium, iron, B-vitamins
- Low glycemic index (good for diabetics)
- Gluten-free
- Consumed as idli, dosa, porridge, kheer, fermented foods
Climate Requirement
- Season: Kharif & summer
- Optimum temp.: 23–30°C
- Rainfall: 400–600 mm (drought tolerant, requires less water than rice/wheat)
- Grown in both rainfed & irrigated conditions
Soil Requirement
- Well-drained sandy loam to loam soils
- pH: 5.5–7.5
- Can be grown in marginal lands & poor fertility soils
Major Growing States (India); Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh
Seed & Sowing
- Seed rate: 8–10 kg/ha
- Row spacing: 22–25 cm
- Depth: 2–3 cm
- Season: June–July (Kharif) / Sept–Oct (Rabi, irrigated)
Varieties
- CO-5, CO-6, SIA-326, SIA-3156, HMT-100-1
- Hybrid: ATL-1 (high yielding)
Fertilizer Requirement
- 40:20:20 NPK kg/ha (rainfed)
- 60:30:30 NPK kg/ha (irrigated)
- Apply FYM 5 t/ha + split N application
Diseases & Pests
- Blast, rust, smut
- Shoot fly, stem borer, aphids
Harvesting & Yield
- Harvest when grains harden & turn golden yellow
- Grain yield: 12–18 q/ha
- Straw yield: 30–40 q/ha
Proso Millet (Cheena – Panicum miliaceum)
- Botanical Name: Panicum miliaceum
- Chromosome Number (2n): 36
- Origin: Central Asia (China, India, Russia region)
- Nickname: Cheena / Barri / Common millet / White millet / Hog millet
- Pollination: Self-pollinated
- Inflorescence: Open, lax, spreading panicle
- Protein Content: 12–13% (rich in essential amino acids)
- Special Feature: Shortest-duration millet (60–70 days), suitable for catch/relay cropping
Nutritional Value
- Rich in protein, niacin, B-complex vitamins, phosphorus
- Easy to digest, non-glutinous
- Good for children, elderly, & gluten-sensitive people
- Used for porridge, khichdi, bakery items, bird feed
Climate Requirement
- Season: Summer & Kharif
- Optimum temp.: 20–30°C
- Rainfall: 300–400 mm (drought tolerant, grows well in dry areas)
- Suitable for areas with short growing season
Soil Requirement
- Thrives in light-textured sandy loam soils
- Can grow in poor & shallow soils
- pH: 5.5–7.5
Major Growing States (India)
- Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
Seed & Sowing
- Seed rate: 8–10 kg/ha
- Row spacing: 20–25 cm
- Season: June–July (Kharif) / Feb–Mar (summer irrigated)
- Duration: 60–70 days
Varieties
- CO-4, TNAU-151, HMT-100-1, IC-8203, PRC-1, PRC-2
Fertilizer Requirement
- 40:20:20 NPK kg/ha (rainfed)
- 60:30:30 NPK kg/ha (irrigated)
- FYM 5–10 t/ha recommended
Diseases & Pests
- Diseases: Smut, leaf spot, rust
- Pests: Shoot fly, aphids, stem borer
Harvesting & Yield
- Ready in 60–70 days (earliest among millets)
- Grain yield: 10–15 q/ha
- Straw yield: 20–25 q/ha
Key Difference:
- Foxtail Millet → Oldest cultivated millet, medium duration, rich in fiber, GI-friendly.
- Proso Millet → Shortest duration millet (60–70 days), ideal for catch crops, rich in protein & niacin.
