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Dep. of Agronomy, Univ. of Nebraska, P.O. Box 830915, Lincoln, NE 68583-0915
* Corresponding author (idweikat2{at}unl.edu)
Foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.] germplasms N-Si-6 (GP-83, PI 633416), N-Si-7 (GP-84, PI 633417), and N-Si-8 (GP-85, PI 633418) were released by the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska Lincoln, NE, in April 2002 as relatively late, tall, forage-type foxtail millet germplasms. N-Si-7 and N-Si-8 also have potential for grain production.
These germplasms were selected from introductions obtained in 1987 originating from India and China. N-Si-6 was selected from PI 464345, originally collected from Madras State, India. N-Si-7 and N-Si-8 were selected from introductions designated Ji Gu 9 (JG9) and Ning Huang 1 (NH1), respectively, from He Bei Province, China. Variability was noted within these three introductions. Within each of the three introductions, main heads were collected from 10 to 20 superior plants. Late, vigorous, leafy, high-tillering plants were selected from PI 464345, and large, nonlodging plants with productive, well-filled seed heads were selected from JG 9 and NH1. In 1997, cycle-1 of these three populations was grown and further selection was practiced within each population using the same respective criteria. Cycle-2 populations were designated N-Si-6, N-Si-7, and N-Si-8.
N-Si-7 and N-Si-8 were entered in a multicrop performance test at Mead, NE, in 2000 and 2001. All three populations were multiplied for seed in isolation at Mead in 2000, and N-Si-6 and N-Si-7 were further increased in 2001. In each isolation block, a hand-harvest of superior heads was made to provide nuclear stock seed before the plots were bulk-harvested.
N-Si-6 is a tall (up to 1.60 m), leafy, high tillering (up to 136 panicles m–2), very late flowering (late-August to mid-September when sown in early June at ARDC, Mead), hay-type foxtail millet with stems 0.3 to 0.5 cm in width at base. By comparison, ‘Snowfox’ is a short (approximately 1.0 m), fine stemmed (0.2–0.4 cm), very high tillering (200+ small panicles m–2), early flowering (late July to early August at Mead), hay type. Main tiller heads of N-Si-6 are cylindrical, tapering at the tip, approximately 15 cm long by 1.5 cm wide, with 0.7 to 1.0 cm bristles. Grains have sandy-brown glumes (hulls). Kernels weigh approximately 2.79 g 1000–1 with hulls and 2.40 g 1000–1 dehulled. Dehulled grains are oval and opaque sandy-brown in color. (Snowfox has sandy or light-brown glumes.) Seeds weigh approximately 2.55 g 1000–1 with hulls and 1.95 g 1000-1 dehulled. Dehulled grains are oval and opaque sandy-yellow in color). Grain yields of 2.0 to 2.6 t ha–1 and total biomass of 11.7 to 13.0 Mg ha–1 have been recorded from June plantings of N-Si-6.
N-Si-7 is a moderately tall (up to 1.56 m), moderately tillering (up to 77 heads m–2), late-flowering (mid August when planted in early June at ARDC, Mead), dual-purpose hay/grain-type foxtail millet with stems 0.3 to 0.7 cm in width. Main-tiller panicles are large (approximately 17 cm long by 2.5 cm wide with 0.3 to 0.5 cm bristles). Panicles are cylindrical, dense, slightly pointed, and strongly lobed (seeds bunched on primary branches from rachis) with lobes partially overlapping in 7 or 8 rows along the head. Glumes are sandy in color, and 1000 kernel weight is approximately 2.32 g hulled and 2.24 g dehulled. Dehulled grain is round and opaque yellow. Grain yields of 1.9 to 3.6 Mg ha–1 and total biomass of 8.1 to 10.7 Mg ha–1 have been recorded from May and June plantings.
N-Si-8 is a moderately tall (up to 1.24 m), moderately tillering (up to 63 panicles m–2), late-flowering (mid-August when planted in early June at ARDC, Mead) dual-purpose hay–grain type foxtail millet with stems 0.3 to 0.7 cm wide at the base. Main heads are large (approximately 15 cm long by 2.1 cm wide with a few short 1.0 cm bristles). Panicles are cylindrical, dense, often blunt ended, and strongly lobed, similar to N-Si-7. Glumes are sandy in color and easily removed, and 1000 kernel weight is approximately 2.47 g hulled and 2.34 g dehulled. Dehulled grain is round and lustrous pale-yellow in color. Grain yields of 2.2 to 4.7 Mg ha–1 and total biomass of 8.2 Mg ha–1 have been recorded from May or June plantings.
These germplasms have potential for hay production, particularly N-Si-6, and may be planted in East and Central Nebraska from mid-May to end of June. N-Si-7 and N-Si-8 additionally have potential for grain production. Foxtail millet grain (which is without gluten) is widely used for human consumption in China, parts of Eastern Europe, and parts of Africa, or as poultry and bird food.
Seed of N-Si-6, N-Si-7, and N-Si-8 is available for research purposes from the Department of Agronomy, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583.
NOTES
Journal Article No. 14031 by Univ. of Nebraska Agric. Res. Div. Registration by CSSA.
Accepted for publication September 30, 2003.
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