Millets

The millets are very adaptable cereals.  They can be grown in both warm and cool climates because of their short growing season.

 

	To understand the importance of millet worldwide.
	To know the millet types and uses.
	To know the climatic and edaphic requirements for millet production.

 

Millet is unique because of its short growing season.  Millet can go from a planted seed to a mature seed in 65 days.  Therefore, even in cold climates, if there are at least 65 warm days, millet matures.  In dry climates, if it is wet 65 days, then millet fits in the system.  For this reason millet is important in Northern Asia and in sub-Saharan Africa.  The leading countries in millet production are China, India, and the former Soviet Union.

There are four major millet types, Pearl, Foxtail, Proso, and Finger.  Millets can be used for human and animal food, for hay and for pasture.  Because of their versatility, millets fit into many cropping systems in nearly every part of the world.

 

IV.   Economic Importance

• Major crops in Asia, Africa, and USSR.
• World seed production 13.7 million MT on some 53.9 million hectares.
• Leading countries, China, India, and USSR.

• Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) 40% world production.
• Foxtail millet (Setavia italica) 24% world production.
• Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) 15% world production.
• Finger millet (Eleusine coracania) 11% world production.

• 480,000 hectares of millets

• 1/2 is pearl, 1/4 proso, and 1/6 is foxtail

• Foxtail millet is one of the oldest cultivated crops.
• Grown in China as early as 2700 B.C.
• Became important in central U. S. after 1849.
• 200,000 acres grown in CO, ND and NE

• Warm weather crop.
• Low water requirement.
• Escape drought because of short (65-70 day) growing season.
• Need good drainage

Botany

• Slender, erect leafy stems (l-5 ft. High)
• Seeds on spike like panicle.
• Self pollinated.

•  Can be seeded after most crops planted (because of short growing season).
•  Seedbed preparation similar to small grains (need firm seedbed due to small seed size)
• Early weed control critical.
• Plant 2-3 weeks after corn planting time.
• Can plant any time between May 15 and July 1
    CONCEPT Foxtail makes excellent hay millet.

• Came from African Savannah zone
• Introduced to U. S. in 1875
• Grown in southern U. S
• 600,000 acres in southeast

• Sandy loam soils best.
• Is most productive grain in dry, infertile soils of India and Africa.

• Tall, erect, annual grass - 6-15 ft. In height.
• Stems pithy, leaves long and pointed.
• Tillers frizzy.
• Inflorescence is a dense, spike-like panicle (6-14 inches long).
• Plant is largely cross pollinated.

• Response well to heavy fertilization.
• Seeded after danger of last frost.
• High seedling rate when grown for grazing.
• Has place in Virginia for summer pasture
• Leafy, palatable (esp. when compared to sorghums)

• In U. S. used primarily as a pasture crop (occasionally silage).
• Yields as high as 16 tons of DM as forage.
• Method of planting: grain drill.
• Harvesting time (hay): Cut just after blooming.
• Approximate harvest dates: July 1 to July 15.
• Approximate yield: Hay, 1 to 2 tons.

  

Millets are warm weather crops.  They have a low moisture requirement because of their short growing season.  They are not a crop that does well in waterlogged soils.  Millets can often be seeded after most other crops are planted because of its growing season.  Millet is often used in developed countries as an emergency grain or forage crop for livestock.
 

 

VI. Self Assessment
 

	What is millets most important crop characteristic that allows for diversity?
	What are the major millet types and how are they used?
	Contrast use of millet in developed and developing nations?