Plant Guide - Proso Millet Panicum Miliaceum L. - U.s. Department Of Agriculture (Page 2 of 3) in pdf

Cover crop/green manure: Proso millet can be used as a

(Lyon et al., 2008). Planting after winter wheat may lead

quick growing catch crop planted into corn and sorghum

to N deficiency, so fertilizer applications of nitrogen and

stubble fields. It does well planted in combination with

additional nutrients may be required. Fertilizer additions

cowpea or soybeans (Schonbeck and Morse, 2006). It has

should be based on soil test results and the

one of the lowest water requirements of any cereal

recommendations of the local county extension service.

(Baltensperger, 1996; Lyon et al., 2008), and could be

Management

useful in low-input sustainable systems. Earlier summer

Proso millet does not seem to benefit from high-input

(June) plantings produce the greatest biomass (Schonbeck

additions of nutrients or water (Baltensperger, 1996). Like

and Morse, 2006). It can be terminated by mowing or

foxtail millet (Setaria italica), there will be little regrowth

disking. Winter wheat has been successfully no-till

after being cut (Baltensperger, 1996). Proso millet has

planted into proso millet stubble in the fall in the Great

been used in a winter wheat/sunflower/proso/fallow

Plains (Lyon et al., 2008).

rotation in the Great Plains (Lyon et al., 2008). In

September it is cut and gathered into windrows to dry and

Filter Strips/Field Borders: Proso millet has been used in

cure. Proso millet is not direct-combined because the seed

mixes for herbaceous conservation buffers/filter strips in

shatters easily, the straw moisture is too high at harvest,

USDA Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)

and it tends to lodge (McDonald et al., 2003).

applications (USDA-NRCS, 2009).

Pests and Potential Problems

Wildlife: Proso millet seed is eaten by bobwhite quail,

There are few if any disease or insect problems. European

mourning doves, pheasants, turkeys, and a variety of

corn borer moths will lay eggs on millet, and thrips and

songbirds. It is also the host plant for several genera of

grasshoppers will occasionally feed on it (McDonald et

skipper (Hilty, 2014).

al., 2003). In order to reduce weed pressure, wheat–proso

millet rotations should not be continued past three

Ethnobotany

consecutive years.

Proso millet contains greater protein and iron than wheat

or rice (Millet Network of India et al., 2009). It was one

Environmental Concerns

of the earliest domesticated cereals and is still widely

Weedy biotypes of proso millet can produce a long-term

used for human consumption in India, the Middle East,

seed bank. Nevertheless, proso millet varieties used as

China, and parts of Russia (Bough et al., 1986).

crops have little ability to survive dormancy or maintain

viable seed banks (Bough et al., 1986). Rotations are one

Status

way of avoiding weedy characteristics.

Weedy or Invasive

Wild-proso millet is the escaped form

of the cultivated proso millet, and can be weedy or

Seeds and Plant Production

invasive throughout the United States. It is considered a

Proso millet matures 60–90 days after planting. Seeds

noxious weed in Colorado and Oregon. It is a rapidly

mature from the top of the inflorescence to the bottom,

growing, vigorous, prolific seed producer that has

and may shatter before harvesting (Baltensperger, 1996).

developed some herbicide resistance. Please consult with

Proso millet is self-pollinating, but some cross-pollination

your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension

may occur by the wind (Baltensperger, 1996). Plants

Service office, state natural resource, or state agriculture

remain in bloom for only a week (Hilty, 2014). Seeds are

department regarding its status and use.

smaller (80,000 seed/lb) than pearl millet and may be

Please consult the PLANTS Web site

white, cream, yellow, orange, red, or black to brown. It

( )

and your State Department of

can produce 2,000 lb/ac of seed (NRCS, 2012).

Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g.,

threatened or endangered species, state noxious status,

Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area

and wetland indicator values).

of origin)

‘Dove’ proso millet is a cultivar developed by the USDA-

Planting Guidelines

NRCS Plant Materials Center in Americus, GA in 1972.

Proso millet will germinate between 50–113°F (10–45°

White-seeded varieties are most often grown in the major

C) (Baltensperger, 1996). The optimum soil temperature

production areas. ‘Sunrise’ and ‘Huntsman’ are white-

for planting is 55–65°F (13-18° C) (McDonald et al.,

seeded varieties co-released by the University of

2003). It is typically drilled at 30–40 lb/ac for forage or

Nebraska and the USDA. ‘Earlybird’ and ‘Horizon’ are

feed, ½ – ¾ inches deep, on 7, 10, or 12 inch rows

shorter season varieties. Cultivars should be selected

(McDonald, 2003). A lower rate of 20 lb/ac can be used

based on the local climate, resistance to local pests, and

for producing seed (Baltensperger et al., 1995). It is

intended use. Consult with your local land grant

planted as a warm-season cover crop in the Great Plains

university, local extension or local USDA NRCS office

in late May to early June (Lyon et al., 2008). It has been

for recommendations on adapted cultivars for use in your

successfully grown as a dryland crop with little or no

area.

supplemental irrigation. It is used in rotation with winter

wheat and can help to reduce disease and insect pressure

Literature Cited

Plant Guide - Proso Millet Panicum Miliaceum L. - U.s. Department Of Agriculture Page 2

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