|
Millet, Foxtail (green foxtail)
| Scientific name: | Setaria italica |
| Cultivars: | Sno-Fox, Butte, German, Golden German, Manta, White Wonder, Common |
| Origin: | East Asia |
| Growth Habit: | Bunch type |
| Life Cycle: | Annual (warm season) |
| Use | |
| Production: | Generally used for hay. Caution should be used as under severe stress plants can accumulate high amounts of nitrate. Can be used as an emergency hay crop. |
| Nutritive Value: | Typically does best when mixed with other species. |
| Identification | |
| Seed Head: | Panicle, 8-30cm |
| Seed: | <1/4" long, ellipsoid in shape |
| Shoot: | Erect, up to 3' |
| Leaf: | Somewhat hairy sheaths, up to 7-8 |
| Auricles: | not present |
| Ligule: | 1-2mm, membranous |
| Adaptation | |
| Soil: | loams |
| pH: | >5.5 |
| Moisture: | Do not tolerate water-logged soils or extreme droughts |
| Temperature: | Must have warm temperatures for germination. Frost sensitive. |
| Other: | |
| Establishment - Management | |
| Seeding rate: | 20-30lb/acre, broadcast |
| Seed cost: | |
| Planting date: | Late spring to early summer. In MN and WI normal planting dates fall from June to July to have optimum soil temperatures for germination. |
| Planting depth: | 1/4-1/2" |
| Frost seeding: | No |
| Fertilization: | Follow soil test recommendations |
| Grazing: | Only graze once at height of 18" and before seed production, and should not be grazed below 8". Can be used as an organic forage source since pesticides are not commonly used with Foxtail Millet. |
| Hay: | Can be harvested at boot stage. |
| Notes | |
| Photos | |
|
| |
