Proso Millet

Scientific Name: Panicum miliaceum L.

Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Liliopsida / Commelinidae / Cyperales / Poaceae / Gramineae / Panicum L./ Panicum miliaceum L.

Proso Millet
General Information
Usda SymbolPAMI2
GroupMonocot
Life CycleAnnual
Growth HabitsGraminoid
Native LocationsPAMI2

Plant Guide

Alternate Names

Common Names: broomcorn millet, proso, wild millet, black seeded proso millet, panic millet, broom corn, hog millet, common millet Scientific Names: Panicum miliaceum var. aureum Alef.; Panicum miliaceum var. flavum Schur; Panicum miliaceum var. sanguineum Alef.

Description

General: Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) is an introduced, warm-season annual grass that grows 1–3½ ft tall. Stems are light green, erect, sometimes branched at the base, and grow 20–60 in (0.5–1.5 m) tall. Leaves alternate along the stem and are covered with short, stiff hairs. The wide-spreading or arching leaves may reach approximately 1 ft (30 cm) long, have a short ligule (outgrowth at junction of grass leaf and blade) and no auricles (ear-like appendage at the base of leaf) (Baltensperger, 1996). Plants have shallow, fibrous root systems and produce few tillers. Proso millet has a drooping, branched, compact inflorescence 4–18 in (10–45 cm) long made of many stalked, ovoid spikelets. The panicles may be spreading, loose and one-sided, or erect depending on the variety (McDonald et al., 2003). Proso millet reproduces by seeds, which are shiny, yellow to brown, smooth, oval and 0.09-0.11 in (2.4–3 mm) long. There is both a weedy wild-proso millet and a domesticated proso millet. Domestic proso millet has yellow or light brown seeds, while the weedier wild-proso has brown to black seeds. Proso millet can be easily confused with young corn seedlings, fall panicum (Panicum dichotomiflorum), and witch grass (Panicum capillare). A distinguishing feature of the plant is that the seed husk (palea and lemma) remains attached to the roots of seedlings (Bough et al., 1986). Distribution: It is thought that proso millet was originally cultivated in eastern Asia, later spreading to India, Russia, the Middle East, and Europe (Baltensperger, 1996). Today proso millet is produced in India, China, Russia, the Middle East (Baltensperger, 1996). In the United States, it is mainly grown in the Great Plains states of Nebraska, South Dakota, and Colorado, with limited production in Kansas, Wyoming, and Minnesota. US production has increased in the past 10 years (McDonald et al., 2003). The weedier wild-proso millet is thought to have escaped from domesticated varieties, and can be found throughout the United States. For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site. Habitat: Proso millet grows best in full sun, moist to dry conditions, and can perform well in many soil types. It is found in croplands, fallow fields, roadsides, waste sites, and disturbed soils.

Adaptation

Proso millet has been grown for thousands of years in many types of soils and in many climates. It is both heat and drought-tolerant and is widely grown in the tropics and sub-tropics. Proso millet is a C4 plant with a low transpiration ratio; its high water use efficiency allows it to grow in water-limited environments (Baltensperger, 1996; Lyon et al., 2008). It can be grown farther north than other millets and is adapted to high elevation plateaus and poor soil (Baltensperger, 1996). However, due to its shallow root system, it does not grow well under water stress (Baltensperger, 1996). It is not frost-tolerant and does not grow well in soils with a pH greater than 7.8. It has poor tolerance to high salinity.

Uses

Forage/Feed: Similar to several other millets, proso millet is grown for livestock and birdseed in the United States. Substituting proso millet for half the food ration for cattle and swine is considered similar to using sorghum or corn (Baltensperger, 1996; Lyon et al., 2008). Turkeys gained more weight on a diet of proso millet than on corn or sorghum, however broiler chickens did not significantly gain more weight (Baltensperger, 1996). Proso millet fed to swine and poultry should be supplemented with lysine (Lyon et al., 2008). Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Guide Cover crop/green manure: Proso millet can be used as a quick growing catch crop planted into corn and sorghum stubble fields. It does well planted in combination with cowpea or soybeans (Schonbeck and Morse, 2006). It has one of the lowest water requirements of any cereal (Baltensperger, 1996; Lyon et al., 2008), and could be useful in low-input sustainable systems. Earlier summer (June) plantings produce the greatest biomass (Schonbeck and Morse, 2006). It can be terminated by mowing or disking. Winter wheat has been successfully no-till planted into proso millet stubble in the fall in the Great Plains (Lyon et al., 2008). Filter Strips/Field Borders: Proso millet has been used in mixes for herbaceous conservation buffers/filter strips in USDA Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) applications (USDA-NRCS, 2009). Wildlife: Proso millet seed is eaten by bobwhite quail, mourning doves, pheasants, turkeys, and a variety of songbirds. It is also the host plant for several genera of skipper (Hilty, 2014).

Ethnobotany

Proso millet contains greater protein and iron than wheat or rice (Millet Network of India et al., 2009). It was one of the earliest domesticated cereals and is still widely used for human consumption in India, the Middle East, China, and parts of Russia (Bough et al., 1986).

Status

Weedy or Invasive: Wild-proso millet is the escaped form of the cultivated proso millet, and can be weedy or invasive throughout the United States. It is considered a noxious weed in Colorado and Oregon. It is a rapidly growing, vigorous, prolific seed producer that has developed some herbicide resistance. Please consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service office, state natural resource, or state agriculture department regarding its status and use. Please consult the PLANTS Web site (http://plants.usda.gov/) and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g., threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Planting Guidelines

Proso millet will germinate between 50–113°F (10–45° C) (Baltensperger, 1996). The optimum soil temperature for planting is 55–65°F (13-18° C) (McDonald et al., 2003). It is typically drilled at 30–40 lb/ac for forage or feed, ½ – ¾ inches deep, on 7, 10, or 12 inch rows (McDonald, 2003). A lower rate of 20 lb/ac can be used for producing seed (Baltensperger et al., 1995). It is planted as a warm-season cover crop in the Great Plains in late May to early June (Lyon et al., 2008). It has been successfully grown as a dryland crop with little or no supplemental irrigation. It is used in rotation with winter wheat and can help to reduce disease and insect pressure (Lyon et al., 2008). Planting after winter wheat may lead to N deficiency, so fertilizer applications of nitrogen and additional nutrients may be required. Fertilizer additions should be based on soil test results and the recommendations of the local county extension service.

Management

Proso millet does not seem to benefit from high-input additions of nutrients or water (Baltensperger, 1996). Like foxtail millet (Setaria italica), there will be little regrowth after being cut (Baltensperger, 1996). Proso millet has been used in a winter wheat/sunflower/proso/fallow rotation in the Great Plains (Lyon et al., 2008). In September it is cut and gathered into windrows to dry and cure. Proso millet is not direct-combined because the seed shatters easily, the straw moisture is too high at harvest, and it tends to lodge (McDonald et al., 2003).

Pests and Potential Problems

There are few if any disease or insect problems. European corn borer moths will lay eggs on millet, and thrips and grasshoppers will occasionally feed on it (McDonald et al., 2003). In order to reduce weed pressure, wheat–proso millet rotations should not be continued past three consecutive years.

Environmental Concerns

Concerns

Concerns

Weedy biotypes of proso millet can produce a long-term seed bank. Nevertheless, proso millet varieties used as crops have little ability to survive dormancy or maintain viable seed banks (Bough et al., 1986). Rotations are one way of avoiding weedy characteristics.

Seeds and Plant Production

Plant Production , Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Proso Millet.

Plant Production

Proso millet matures 60–90 days after planting. Seeds mature from the top of the inflorescence to the bottom, and may shatter before harvesting (Baltensperger, 1996). Proso millet is self-pollinating, but some cross-pollination may occur by the wind (Baltensperger, 1996). Plants remain in bloom for only a week (Hilty, 2014). Seeds are smaller (80,000 seed/lb) than pearl millet and may be white, cream, yellow, orange, red, or black to brown. It can produce 2,000 lb/ac of seed (NRCS, 2012). Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) ‘Dove’ proso millet is a cultivar developed by the USDA-NRCS Plant Materials Center in Americus, GA in 1972. White-seeded varieties are most often grown in the major production areas. ‘Sunrise’ and ‘Huntsman’ are white-seeded varieties co-released by the University of Nebraska and the USDA. ‘Earlybird’ and ‘Horizon’ are shorter season varieties. Cultivars should be selected based on the local climate, resistance to local pests, and intended use. Consult with your local land grant university, local extension or local USDA NRCS office for recommendations on adapted cultivars for use in your area.

Literature Cited

http://plants.usda.gov/ Baltensperger, D.D. 1996. Foxtail and proso millet. p. 182–190. In J. Janick (ed.) Progress in new crops. ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA. Baltensperger, D., D. Lyon, R. Anderson, T. Holman, C. Stymiest, J. Shanahan, L. Nelson, K. DeBoer, G. Hein, and J. Krall.1995. Producing and marketing proso millet in the high plains. Univ. of Neb. Coop. Ext. EC 95-137-C. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ (accessed 07 Oct. 2014) Bough, M., J.C. Colosi, and P.B. Cavers. 1986. The major weedy biotypes of proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) in Canada. Can. J. Bot. 64: 1188–1198. Hilty, J. 2014. Proso millet. Illinois Wildflower. http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/grasses/plants/proso_millet.html (accessed 06 Oct. 2014) Lyon, D.J., P.A. Burgener, K.L. DeBoer, R.M. Harveson, G.L. Hein, G.W. Hergert, T.L.Holman, L.A. Nelson, J.J. Johnson, T. Nleya, J.M. Krall, D.C. Nielsen, M.F. Vigil. 2008. Proso millet in the Great Plains. Publication # EC137. Univ. of Nebraska Ext. Serv. Lincoln, NB. McDonald, S. K., L. Hofsteen, and L. Downey. 2003. Crop profile for proso millet in Colorado. USDA Crop Profiles, Regional IPM Centers. http://www.ipmcenters.org/CropProfiles/ (accessed 07 Oct. 2014) Millet Network of India, Deccan Development Society, and FIAN, India. 2009. Millets: future of food & farming. MINI and DDS, Andhra Pradesh, India; FIAN, India, Hiedelberg, Germany. http://www.swaraj.org/shikshantar/millets.pdf. (accessed 06 Oct. 2014) NRCS. 2012. Release brochure for ‘Dove’, proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.). USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Jimmy Carter PMC. Americus, Georgia. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/gapmcrb11224.pdf. (accessed 06 Oct. 2014) Schonbeck, M. and R. Morse. 2006. Cover crops for all seasons. Virginia Assoc. for Biological Farming. Lexington, VA. Information Sheet #3-06. USDA NRCS. 2009. Evaluation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture farm bill conservation practices for wildlife. USDA NRCS Agricultural

Wildlife

Conservation Center (AWCC). www.nwtf.org Citation Sheahan, C.M. 2014. Plant guide for proso millet (Panicum miliaceum). USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Cape May Plant Materials Center. Cape May, NJ. Published 10/2014 Edited: 30Oct2014 aym; 02Feb2015 rg For more information about this and other plants, please contact your local NRCS field office or

Conservation

District at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ and visit the PLANTS Web site at http://plants.usda.gov/ or the Plant Materials Program Web site: http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov. PLANTS is not responsible for the content or availability of other Web sites.

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

CaCO3 ToleranceNone
Frost Free Days, Minimum120
Frost Free Days, Minimum120
Frost Free Days, Minimum120
Fire ToleranceNone
Fire ToleranceNone
Fire ToleranceNone
Fertility RequirementMedium
Fertility RequirementMedium
Fertility RequirementMedium
Drought ToleranceLow
Drought ToleranceLow
Drought ToleranceLow
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Temperature, Minimum (°F)47
CaCO3 ToleranceNone
CaCO3 ToleranceNone
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsNo
Hedge ToleranceNone
Temperature, Minimum (°F)47
Temperature, Minimum (°F)47
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Salinity ToleranceNone
Salinity ToleranceNone
Salinity ToleranceNone
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)10
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)10
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)10
Precipitation, Minimum25
Precipitation, Minimum25
Precipitation, Minimum25
Precipitation, Maximum50
Hedge ToleranceNone
Hedge ToleranceNone
Moisture UseLow
Moisture UseLow
Moisture UseLow
pH, Maximum6.8
pH, Maximum6.8
pH, Maximum6.8
pH, Minimum5.8
pH, Minimum5.8
pH, Minimum5.8
Precipitation, Maximum50
Precipitation, Maximum50


Morphology/Physiology

Active Growth PeriodSummer
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
Shape and OrientationErect
Shape and OrientationErect
Foliage ColorGreen
Fire ResistantNo
Flower ColorWhite
Flower ColorWhite
Flower ColorWhite
Flower ConspicuousNo
Flower ConspicuousNo
Flower ConspicuousNo
Foliage ColorGreen
Fire ResistantNo
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity SummerPorous
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
C:N RatioMedium
Shape and OrientationErect
Active Growth PeriodSummer
Active Growth PeriodSummer
BloatNone
BloatNone
BloatNone
C:N RatioMedium
C:N RatioMedium
Resprout AbilityNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Fall ConspicuousYes
Fall ConspicuousYes
Fall ConspicuousYes
Fire ResistantNo
Foliage TextureFine
Resprout AbilityNo
Resprout AbilityNo
Nitrogen FixationNone
Nitrogen FixationNone
Nitrogen FixationNone
Low Growing GrassNo
Low Growing GrassNo
Low Growing GrassNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Known AllelopathNo
Known AllelopathNo
Known AllelopathNo
Height, Mature (feet)3.3
Height, Mature (feet)3.0
Height, Mature (feet)3.0
Foliage TextureFine
Foliage TextureFine
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousYes
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousYes
Growth FormBunch
Growth FormBunch
Growth FormBunch
Growth RateRapid
Growth RateRapid
Growth RateRapid
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousYes


Reproduction

Propagated by TubersNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceYes
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Seed per Pound84800
Seed per Pound84800
Seed per Pound84800
Seed Spread RateModerate
Seed Spread RateModerate
Seed Spread RateModerate
Seedling VigorHigh
Seedling VigorHigh
Seedling VigorHigh
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Bloom PeriodSummer
Bloom PeriodSummer
Bloom PeriodSummer
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Fruit/Seed Period BeginFall
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed Period EndFall
Fruit/Seed Period EndFall
Fruit/Seed PersistenceYes
Fruit/Seed Period EndWinter
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceYes


Suitability/Use

Palatable Browse AnimalLow
Palatable Graze AnimalLow
Palatable Graze AnimalMedium
Palatable Graze AnimalMedium
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Post ProductNo
Post ProductNo
Post ProductNo
Protein PotentialLow
Protein PotentialMedium
Protein PotentialMedium
Pulpwood ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Fodder ProductYes
Fodder ProductYes
Fodder ProductYes
Palatable Browse AnimalHigh
Lumber ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Palatable Browse AnimalHigh

Proso Millet

Proso Millet

Proso Millet

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