Setaria italica

An annual grass reaching 0.5 m tall with a spread of 0.1 m, hardy to UK zone 6. Flowers August to October with seeds ripening September to October. The plant is hermaphroditic and wind-pollinated. It grows in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils, preferring well-drained conditions across mildly acid to mildly alkaline pH ranges. Cannot grow in shade, prefers moist soil, and tolerates drought.

Description

An annual millet grass. It grows 1-1.5 m tall. It can be tinged with purple colour. The stalks are upright and the section between the nodes is hollow. It develops tillers from the base. It has along leaf sheath. The leaf blade is 30-45 cm long by 1.2-2.5 cm wide. It has a prominent midrib and tapers towards the tip. The flower is a spike-like branching flower 7.5-25 cm long by 1.2-5 cm wide. The side branches carry 6-12 small spikes each with 1-3 bristles. The mature grain is 2 mm long. There are many named cultivated varieties.

Edible Uses

The seeds of foxtail millet can be cooked and eaten as sweet or savoury dishes in all the same ways as rice, or ground into flour for porridge, cakes, and puddings. Sprouting the seed before use makes it slightly sweeter. Most cultivars are non-glutinous, making them suitable for people with coeliac disease. The grain is considered nutritious and is often recommended for the elderly and for pregnant women. Per 100g (dry weight): 384 calories, 10.7g protein, 3.3g fat, 84.2g carbohydrate, 1.4g fibre, 1.8g ash; minerals include 37mg calcium, 275mg phosphorus, 6.2mg iron, 8mg sodium, 281mg potassium; vitamins include 0.48mg thiamine (B1), 0.14mg riboflavin (B2), and 2.48mg niacin.

Traditional Uses

It can be cooked and eaten like rice. The seeds can be parched, popped, added to soups and sauces or made into porridge, cakes, puddings, and dumplings. The sprouted seeds can be used as a vegetable. The seeds can be used for making beer. The seeds can also be made into syrup. CAUTION: If the seeds are left outside overwinter they can become toxic.

Medicinal Uses

The germinated seed of yellow-seeded cultivars is astringent, digestive, emollient, and stomachic, used in treating dyspepsia, poor digestion, and food stagnancy in the abdomen. White seeds are refrigerant and used for cholera and fever. Green seeds are diuretic and considered strengthening to virility.

Distribution

A warm temperate plant. It suits regions of low rainfall. It is grown from sea level to 2,000 m altitude. In Nepal it grows to about 1800 m altitude. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. It can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions. It cannot tolerate waterlogging. It cannot withstand long periods of drought. It can grow in arid places.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Africa, Andamans, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores, Balkans, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Cambodia, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Cyprus, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guiana, Guyana, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macedonia, Malawi, Malaysia, Manchuria, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Tibet, Timor-Leste, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, USA, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, West Timor, Yemen, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants are grown by seed. Seed can be broadcast or drilled. Pure stands require 8-10 kg/ha of seed. Plants are harvested by cutting off the ears.

Propagation

Sow seed in early spring in a greenhouse, barely covering it. Germination is usually quick and good. Prick out seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on quickly. Plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts. For larger quantities, seed can be sown in situ in mid-spring, though plants may come into flower later and may not ripen seed in a cool summer.

Other Uses

The plant can be sown in contour strips for erosion control. The straw is used for thatching and bedding in countries such as India. The bran contains up to 9% oil and can be used for oil extraction.

Production

It grows quickly. Plants mature in 80-120 days. Flowering occurs over 10-15 days. Plants can be self or cross pollinated. Yields of 800-900 kg/ha are common and straw yields for livestock feed can be up to 2,500 kg/ha.

Other Information

Foxtail millet is cultivated as a cereal in China. It has many cultivars.

Notes

There are about 130 Setaria species. They are mainly in the tropics and subtropics.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Awa, Bengal grass, Butul, Chenna, Chinaka, Chiurr, Erba, Fatun, Gh'omi, Hetui, Iskoi, Italian millet, Jangmelen, Japanese millet, Jo, Kagano, Kagno, Kaguno, Kala kangni, Kang, Kanghuni, Kangni, Kangu, Kaguno, Kanguni, Kangunika, Kanidhan, Kaon, Karang, Karibiragu, Kaun, Khar, Khauni, Khosanuk, Kirpi darisi, Koni, Kora, Korra, Korralu, Ksongu, Kusht, Liang, Maisha, Mijo de Italia, Milho painco, Mukobi, Munciro, Navane, Pet'vi, Pingi, Pitatandula, Priangu, Priyangu, Rala, Rumput ekur kucing, Salau, Sat, Sekoi, Sekua, Sekui, Shak, Shali, Tanahal, Tangun, Tayak, Tena, Tenai, Thanahal, Thene, Thina, Thinai, U'rao-shoho

References (59)

• Acharya, K. P., Paudel, P. K., 2020, Biodiversity in Karnali Province: Current Status and Conservation. Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment, Karnali Province Government, Surkhet, Nepal. p 31
• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 570
• Anderson, E. F., 1993, Plants and people of the Golden Triangle. Dioscorides Press. p 221
• Bodner, C. C. and Gereau, R. E., 1988, A Contribution to Bontoc Ethnobotany. Economic Botany, 43(2): 307-369
• Borrell, O.W., 1989, An Annotated Checklist of the Flora of Kairiru Island, New Guinea. Marcellin College, Victoria Australia. p 25

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