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Graminae
Synonyms
Panicum italicum L.; Chaetochloa italica (L.) Scribn.
Common names
Dwarf setaria, giant setaria, Hungarian millet, liberty millet,
foxtail millet, red rala.
Description
An annual plant with stems that branch little, and with a well-
developed, deep root system. The tubular stalk is filled with loose tissue.
The leaf- blade is wide-lanceolate, long-acuminate, dense scabrous, and
may have a brightly coloured midrib; leaf edges serrate. Leaf-sheaths longer
than the nodes; collar indistinct, ligule small, short, thick. Inflorescence
has main stalk with shortened branchings bearing spikes and bristles. Flowers
two per spikelet, the upper bisexual. In cultivated varieties there are
two to three bristles per spikelet. Fruit a caryopsis; grain of various
colours; seeds enclosed in thin, papery hulls, largely removed by threshing,
leaving free the small, convex seed, which is oval or elliptical (Maim
& Rachie, 1971).
Distribution
Regarded as a native of China, it is one of the world's oldest
cultivated crops. Cultivated extensively in the USSR, China and India but
also widely elsewhere.
Season of growth
Summer.
Altitude range
Sea-level to 2 000 m.
Rainfall requirements
It is generally grown in the 500-700 mm rainfall areas with
a summer maximum. Millets require less rainfall than sorghum and maize
but success depends on strategic falls of rain.
Drought tolerance
It is fairly tolerant of drought; it can escape some droughts
because of early maturity.
Soil requirements
Preferably sandy loams to clay loams. Millets are difficult
to germinate on heavy clay soils.
Ability to spread naturally
It will spread from scattered seed, but is usually planted.
Land preparation for establishment
A fine, firm seed-bed is needed for a good crop. In early land
development an initial ploughing may be sufficient.
Sowing methods
The seed is usually drilled, but may be broadcast and harrowed
in. Nitrogen fertilizer should not be put down the same chute as the seed.
Sowing depth and cover
Seed is best sown at 4-6 cm (deeper may result in lower germination).
Except in sandy soils, rolling after planting is desirable.
Sowing time and rate
Spring to late summer, depending on frost hazards, at 5-7 kg/ha.
In light sandy soils a slightly lower sowing rate can be adopted.
Number of seeds per kg.
485 000 in the United States.
Seed treatment before
planting
In areas where seed-harvesting ants are troublesome, seed can
be treated prior to planting with lindane.
Seedling vigour
Good.
Vigour of growth and growth
rhythm
It grows quickly and flowers in about 56-62 days.
Response to defoliation
It is not often grazed, but can be used for this purpose with
one or two grazings a season.
Response to fire
It is destroyed by fire.
Dry-matter and green-matter
yields
It yields about 15-20 tonnes of green matter per hectare, and
3.5 t/ha of hay.
Suitability for hay and
silage
It makes good hay when cut at flowering and can also be ensiled
(Maim & Rachie, 1971).
Toxicity
Millet hay may be toxic to horses due to a glucoside setarian
(Maim & Rachie, 1971).
Seed yield
800-900 kg/ha.
Cultivars
Two varieties are grown in Queensland.
a dual-purpose, tall-growing type producing a good body
of leaf. It has a growing period of about 105 days. As a grazing crop,
it should be subjected to heavy quick grazings. It gives a higher grain
yield than dwarf setaria. The plant has no hair on the lower leaf-sheath,
distinguishing it from dwarf setaria.
used only as a grain crop in Queensland, especially for
the bird seed trade. It matures very quickly, in about 80 days. It is referred
to as "panicum" in the Queensland trade circles. It produces less leaf
than other millets and this, coupled with its quick maturing, reduces its
moisture requirements (Douglas, 1970). Dwarf setaria bears a profusion
of hairs on the lower leaf-sheath at 8-10 cm height.
selected in Queensland; it yields more than the common variety
and matures about a week later (Douglas, 1974).
Diseases
The crop is subject to leaf and head blast, caused by Pyricularia
grisea. In India it is attacked by a smut, Ustilago crameri, and green
ear caused by Sclerospora graminicola.
Main attributes
Its quick growth, which enables it to be grown as a short-term
catch crop. Its adaptability to a wide range of elevations, soils and temperatures.
Its heavy seeding, the grain being used for human consumption, and poultry
and cage birds.
Frost tolerance
It is intolerant of frost.
Latitudinal limits
30°N and S.
Maximum germination and
quality required for sale
75 percent germinable seed, 97.5 percent purity (Queensland).
Pests
The millets are very susceptible to bird attack in the field,
and mice and rat invasions.
Palatability
It is extremely palatable.
Response to photoperiod
Flowering is accelerated by short days (Evans, Wardlaw &
Williams, 1964) and the flowers open both late at night and early in the
morning. However, short-day, day-neutral and long-day varieties occur throughout
the world (Maim & Rachie, 1971).
Chemical analysis and
digestibility
The grain contains approximately 11.9 percent moisture, 9.7
percent protein, 1 percent fibre, 3.5 percent ether extract, 72.4 percent
nitrogen-free extract and 1.5 percent ash.
Tolerance to flooding
It cannot tolerate waterlogging.
Fertilizer requirements
A complete fertilizer mixture, where soil tests show the need.
For grazing, 55 kg N/ha is usually beneficial, but excess nitrogen causes
lodging.
Compatibility with other
grasses and legumes
It is usually sown as a pure crop but in India may be interplanted
with finger millet (Eleusine coracana) or cotton (Gossypium hirsutum).
Genetics and reproduction
2n=18 (Fedorov, 1974).
Seed production and harvesting
Setaria millets seed heavily. Harvest with combines using a
small seeds box. The grain must be dried thoroughly before storage or it
may heat and spoil.
Economics
One of the oldest cultivated crops. It was used in India, China
and Egypt before there were written records. Millet is still used in eastern
Europe for porridge and bread and for making alcoholic beverages. About
85 percent is used as foodgrain for humans and 6 percent for poultry. In
the United States it is grown chiefly for hay.
Animal production
The setaria millets are usually not grazed. They may be fed
off in dry times but are usually made into hay or harvested for grain,
mainly for bird and poultry feed.
Further reading
Douglas, 1974; Malm & Rachie, 1971.
Dormancy
Seed dormancy is common in freshly harvested seed, but disappears
by the following spring (Maim & Rachie, 1971).
Value for erosion control
It can be used as a quick-growing crop in contour strips in
dense populations for erosion control.
Main disadvantages
It is an annual and is not very suitable for continuous grazing.
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