Gene expression profiles in early leaf of rice(Oryza sativa)and foxtail millet(Setaria italica)

Plant anatomy is patterned early during leaf development which suggests studying the spatial–temporal transcriptomes of primordia will help identify critical regulative and functional genes.We successfully isolated the leaf primordia tissues from the C3grass rice and the C4grass foxtail millet by laser capture microdissection(LCM)and studied the gene expression throughout leaf developmental stages.Our data analysis uncovered the conserved expression patterns of certain gene clusters both in rice and foxtail millet during leaf development.We revealed genes and transcription factors involved in vein formation,stomatal development,and suberin accumulation.We identified 79 candidate genes associated with functional regulation of C4anatomy formation.Screening phenotype of the candidate genes revealed that knock-out of a putative polar auxin transport related gene NAL1 resulted significantly reduced veinal space in rice leaf.Our present work provides a foundation for future analyses of genes with novel functions in grasses and their role in leaf development,in particular the role in leaves with a contrasting C3vs.C4biosynthetic pathway.

SiRAP2-12,a Positive Regulatory Factor,Effectively Improves the Waterlogging Tolerance of Foxtail Millet(Setaria italica)

Foxtail millet(Setaria italica)growth was inhibited because of waterlogging stress,which has caused yield reduc-tion.ERF family plays an important role to plant adversity tolerance.In our study,we obtained 19,819 differential expressed genes(DEGs)between the two treatments based on the RNA-seq sequencing of foxtail millet of water-logging stress.Furthermore,a total of 28 ERF family members were obtained,which have a complete open read-ing frame.We studied the evolution and function of SiERF family and how they affected the waterlogging tolerance.It was found that SiERF1A/B/C(GenBank ID:OR775217,OR775219,OR775218)and SiRAP2-12(GenBank ID:OR775216)have similar functions to the known waterlogging tolerance genes of other plants.Among them,the SiRAP2-12 expression was obviously significantly up-regulated in foxtail millet after 5d water-logging stress.After SiRAP2-12 was silenced,the activity of defense enzymes in millet decreased significantly.In details,superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT)and peroxidase(POD),the osmotic regulator proline(Pro),and the activity of the anaerobic respiratory enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase(ADH)content were decreased by 78.61%,29.52%,79.95%,19.41%and 54.77%,respectively.In contrast,the relative electrical conductivity contents(REC),malondialdehyde(MDA),and hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2))of the foxtail millet subjected to virus-induced gene silencing clearly increased by 1.03-fold,36.09%,and 15.21%,respectively.The content of sodium(Na^(+))in the SiRAP2-12-silenced foxtail millet also increased,but that of potassium(K^(+))decreased.Interestingly,we found that ethylene content was significantly reduced.Further,the SiAOC1 expression,an essential gene for ethylene synthesis,was inhibited in SiRAP2-12-silenced foxtail millet after waterlogging stress.Taken together,we hypothesized that SiRAP2-12 might be a positive regulator of millet tolerance to waterlogging stress.

Salt stress responses in foxtail millet:Physiological and molecular regulation

Foxtail millet(Setaria italica L.),a member of the Paniceae family,is a temperate and tropical grass species that is widely cultivated on the Eurasian continent.It is Chinese in origin and possesses a small genome,short growth cycle,and strong natural abiotic stress resistance.Elucidating the mechanism of millet tolerance to salt stress is becoming increasingly important with increasing soil salinization limiting crop productivity.The responses and mechanisms of tolerance to salt stress from other model plants such as Arabidopsis and rice,were compared with those from foxtail millet to summarize current research on responses to salt stress.Numerous processes are involved in these processes,including physiological reactions,sensing,signaling,and control at the transcriptional,post-transcriptional,and epigenetic levels.To increase crop productivity and agricultural sustainability,a variety of technologies can be used to investigate how salt tolerance is mediated by physiological and molecular processes in foxtail millet.

Integrated genomic and transcriptomic analysis reveals genes associated with plant height of foxtail millet

Foxtail millet(Setaria italica)is an important C4 model crop;however,due to its high-density planting and high stature,lodging at the filling stage resulted in a serious reduction in yield and quality.Therefore,it is imperative to identify and deploy the genes controlling foxtail millet plant height.In this study,we used a semi-dwarf line 263A and an elite high-stalk breeding variety,Chuang 29 to construct an F2 population to identify dwarf genes.We performed transcriptome analysis(RNA-seq)using internode tissues sampled at three jointing stages of 263A and Chuang 29,as well as bulk segregant analysis(BSA)on their F2 population.A total of 8918 differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were obtained from RNA-seq analysis,and GO analysis showed that DEGs were enriched in functions such as‘‘gibberellin metabolic process”and‘‘oxidoreductase activity”,which have previously been shown to be associated with plant height.A total 593 mutated genes were screened by BSA-seq method.One hundred and seventy-six out of the 593 mutated genes showed differential expression levels between the two parental lines,and seven genes not only showed differential expression in two or three internode tissues but also showed high genomic variation in coding regions,which indicated they play a crucial role in plant height determination.Among them,we found a gibberellin biosynthesis related GA20 oxidase gene(Seita.5G404900),which had a single-base at the third exon,leading to the frameshift mutation at 263A.Cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence assay and association analysis proved the single-base in Seita.5G404900 co-segregated with dwarf phenotype in two independent F2 populations planted in entirely different environments.Taken together,the candidate genes identified in this study will help to elucidate the genetic basis of foxtail millet plant height,and the molecular marker will be useful for marker-assisted dwarf breeding.

Seed Dormancy and Seedlings Physiological Response to Topramezone in Green Foxtail(Setaria viridis)

Green foxtail(Setaria viridis)is a notorious weed in corn fields in Heilongjiang Province.To investigate the best method to break the seed dormancy of green foxtail and its physiological response to topramezone,this study selected newly harvested and one-year stored green foxtail seeds as research subjects.The seeds were treated with HCl,Na OH,gibberellic acid(GA),different water temperatures and polyethylene glycol(PEG)to study the seed dormancy and drought resistance of green foxtail.The results showed that newly harvested seeds exhibited dormancy,and treatments with HCl,NaOH and different water temperatures were unable to break the dormancy.Soaking the seeds in GA could overcome dormancy,but the seeds failed to germinate when exposed to 25%PEG concentration.When topramezone was applied at rates of 22.5 and 45.0 g a.i.·hm^(-2)at the 3-leaf and 5-leaf stages,respectively,the chlorophyll content reached the lowest value at 28 days after treatment(DAT).At the 7-leaf stage,the chlorophyll content reached the lowest value at 7 DAT.The activity of 4-hydroxyphenylpy-ruvate dioxygenase(HPPD)enzyme after topramezone application reached the maximum value at 7 DAT for different leaf ages,and the higher the leaf age,the higher the HPPD activity,which was an important factor contributing to the resistance of green foxtail to topramezone.

Identification and Analysis of Mature Plant Type Mutants of M_1 Generation Foxtail Millet Changnong35 Treated with EMS Mutagenesis

[Objective] The aim was to identify the mutants of millet Changnong35 induced by different concentrations of EMS, so as to construct a millet mutant library. [Method] Foxtail millet cultivar Changnong35 which is widely used in agricultural production, was treated with 0.8% and 1.0% EMS; and then seven traits of mutants were investigated analyzed, to classify the mutants into different groups. [Result] 282 mutants in the M1 generation related to plant type were obtained, of which, 100 mutant plants treated with 0.8% EMS can be divided into 10 groups; 182 mutant plants obtained by using 1.0% EMS can be divided into 17 groups. The analysis results of the mature plant type traits of the M1 Generation showed that, plant height, diameter of stem under spike, diameter of the first internode under spike and internode number of the mutants treated with 1.0% EMS were significantly different from those of control, while those of mutants treated with 0.8% EMS did not show significant difference from those of control. [Conclusion] The inducing with 1.0% EMS was more conducive to obtain a large number and different types of mutants from Changnong35.

Technical Regulation of Foxtail Millet Production by Combining Machinery and Agronomy

In order to solve the problems of low production efficiency,great loss and low yield,Millet Research Institute of Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences integrated the plastic film mulching technique and mechanized production technique,forming a foxtail millet production technique combining machinery and agronomy.The foxtail millet production technique combining machinery and agronomy regulates millet production from the links of soil preparation,fertilization,variety selection,seeding,intertillage and fertilization and harvest,so as to achieve the effects of promoting the matching between agro-machinery and agronomy,improving the level of millet production mechanization,realizing light simplified production and saving labor cost.This technical regulation has a broad application prospect.

Effects of Water-permeability Plastic Film Mulching plus Bunch Planting on Root and Yield of Foxtail Millet

Effects of water-permeability plastic film plus bunch planting on root growth and development and yield of foxtail millet were studied by randomized block design. The results showed that water-permeability plastic film mulching plus bunch planting had a significant promoting effect on root growth and development and yield of foxtail millet. Compared with the CK, the total root length, total surface area, total root volume and number of. root tips increased by 51.30%, 47.89%, 48.39% and 41.63%, respectively. The yield increased by 48.57%, and there was significant positive correlation between root length, total surface area, total volume, number of root tips and dry matter weight of roots with yield. Developed roots are the main reason for the yield increasing effect of water-permeability plastic film mulching plus bunch planting.

Light Simplified Foxtail Millet Cultivation Technique Adopting Furrow Sowing beside Plastic Film Covering Micro-ridges

In order to solve the problem that dry-land foxtail millet production completely relies on rainwater with the characteristics of low instable yield, manual thinning and weeding, high labor intensity, and labor and time saving, Millet Research Institute of Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences integrated furrow sowing beside plastic film covering micro-ridges, simplified cultivation and mechanized production, forming the simplified foxtail millet cultivation technique adopting furrow sowing beside plastic film covering micro-ridges. This study introduced the technique points of the simplified foxtail millet cultivation technique adopting furrow sowing beside plastic film covering micro-ridges, including preparation before sowing,sowing, attached agricultural machines, field management, harvest and residual film recovery.

Light Simplified Cultivation Techniques of Wide Row and Double Ridge with Filming, Fertilizing and Sowing on One for Foxtail Millet

In view of the problems of completely depending on rain, low and unstable yield and complicated planting of dry land foxtail millet, the light simplified cultivation techniques of wide row and double ridge with filming, fertilizing and sowing on one for foxtail millet was formed through the integration of plastic film mulching technology and mechanized production technology by Institute of Millet crops of Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, and the techniques were introduced from the key technologies of pre-sowing preparation, sowing, supporting equipment, field management, harvesting, plastic film recycling.

Evaluation of selenium and carotenoid concentrations of 200 foxtail millet accessions from China and their correlations with agronomic performance

As selenium and carotenoids are essential micronutrients, the determination of their concentrations in different varieties is important in the breeding of foxtail milet （Setaria italicaL. P.Beauv.）. To identify selenium- and carotenoid-enriched foxtail milet varieties and to analyze correlations between trace elements and agronomic traits, we measured the selenium and carotenoid concentrations of 200 Chinese accessions by high-performance liquid chromatography and atomic lfuorescence spectrometry. Our analysis revealed that lutein concentration in 200 foxtail milet accessions folowed normal distribution and average was 3.1 μg g–1. The mean value of zeaxanthin concentration in 200 accessions was 8.6 μg g–1. Lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations were higher in the foxtail milet from Liaoning than in varieties from other locations, with averages of 10.0 and 3.5 μg g–1, respectively. The average measured selenium concentration was 100.3 μg kg–1. The highest average selenium concentration, 110.3 μg kg–1, was found in varieties from Shanxi. Varieties from Inner Mongolia had the lowest average selenium concentration, 84.7 μg kg–1, which was signiifcantly lower （P〈0.05） than that of Shanxi. Selenium con-centrations of 23 varieties were higher than 117.9 μg kg–1, accounting for 11.5% of the total, thereby were considered to be enriched in selenium. In addition, we identiifed 29 lutein-enriched varieties （〉4.27 μg g–1） and 30 zeaxanthin-enriched ones （〉12.63 μg g–1）, which corresponded to 14.5 and 15% of tested accessions, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed that selenium concentration was signiifcantly positively correlated with spikelet length （P〈0.01）, while zeaxanthin concentration was signiifcantly correlated with grass weight （P〈0.05） and spikelet length （P〈0.01）. No correlation was found between lutein concentration and agronomic characters, selenium content or zeaxanthin content. Our results should contribute substantialy to the selection of suitable varieties for the development of plants with desired levels of these nutritionaly important elements. These results wil signiifcantly contribute towards selection of the most suitable varieties for obtaining plants with desired levels of these nutritionaly important elements.

Genetic variation of yellow pigment and its components in foxtail millet(Setaria italica(L.) P.Beauv.) from different eco-regions in China

Kernel color is an important trait for assessing the commercial and nutritional quality of foxtail millet. Yellow pigment content （YPC） and carotenoid components （lutein and zeaxanthin） of 270 foxtail millet accessions, including 50 landraces and 220 improved cultivars, from four different eco-regions in China were surveyed using spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography methods. Results indicated that YPC had rich variance, ranging from 1.91 to 28.54 mg kg-1, with an average value of 17.80 mg kg-1. The average YPC of improved cultivars （18.31 mg kg-1） was significantly higher than that of landraces （15.51 mg kg-l）. The YPC in cultivars from the Loess Plateau spring sowing region （LPSSR） was the highest （20.59 mg kg-~）, followed by the North China summer sowing region （NCSSR, 18.25 mg kg-1）, the northeast spring sowing region （NSSR, 17.25 mg kg-1）, and the Inner Mongolia Plateau spring sowing region （IMPSSR, 13.92 mg kg-1）. The variation coefficients of YPC in cultivars from NSSR, LPSSR, and IMPSSR were higher than that from NCSSR. A similar carotenoid profile was also obtained for 270 foxtail millet cultivars. Lutein and zeaxanthin accounted for approximately 55-65% of YPC in accessions. The lutein content was higher than zeaxanthin content in all cultivars. The ratio of lutein to zeaxanthin ranged from 1.51 to 6.06 with an average of 3.34. YPC was positively correlated with lutein （r=0.935, P〈0.01）, zeaxanthin （r=0.808, P〈0.01 ）, and growth duration （t=0.488, P〈0.01 ）, whereas it was negatively correlated with grain protein （t=-0.332, P〈0.01） and 1 000-kernel weight （t=-0.153, P〈0.05）. Our study is useful for screening and selecting cultivars with high levels of yellow pigment and for enhancing phytochemical concentrations in breeding programs.

Retrotransposon-mediated DELLA transcriptional reprograming underlies semi-dominant dwarfism in foxtail millet

Retrotransposons account for a large proportion of the genome and genomic variation, and play key roles in creating novel genes and diversifying the genome in many eukaryotic species. Although retrotransposons are abundant in plants, their roles had been underestimated because of a lack of research. Here, we characterized a gibberellin Acid (GA)-insensitive dwarf mutant, 84133, in foxtail millet. Map-based cloning revealed a 5.5-kb Copia-like retrotransposon insertion in DWARF1 (D1), which encodes a DELLA protein. Transcriptional analysis showed that the Copia retrotransposon mediated the transcriptional reprogramming of D1 leading to a novel N-terminal-deleted truncated DELLA transcript that was putatively driven by Copia's LTR, namely D1-TT, and another chimeric transcript. The presence of D1-TT was confirmed by protein immunodetection analysis. Furthermore, D1-TT protein was resistant to GA3 treatment compared with the intact DELLA protein due to its inability to interact with the GA receptor, SiGID1. Overexpression of D1-TT in foxtail millet resulted in dwarf plants, confirming that it determines the dwarfism of 84133. Thus, our study documents a rare instance of long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposon-mediated transcriptional reprograming in the plant kingdom. These results shed light on the function of LTR retrotransposons in generating new gene functions and genetic diversity.

Genetic Analysis and Preliminary Mapping of a Highly Male-Sterile Gene in Foxtail Millet(Setaria italica L.Beauv.) Using SSR Markers

Breeding of male-sterile lines has become the mainstream for the heterosis utilization in foxtail millet,but the genetic basis of most male-sterile lines used for the hybrid is still an area to be elucidated.In this study,a highly male-sterile line Gao146A was investigated.Genetic analysis indicated that the highly male-sterile phenotype was controlled by a single recessive gene a single recessive gene.Using F 2 population derived from cross Gao146A/K103,one gene controlling the highly male- sterility,tentatively named as ms1,which linked to SSR marker b234 with genetic distance of 16.7 cM,was mapped on the chromosome VI.These results not only laid the foundation for fine mapping of this highly male-sterile gene,but also helped to accelerate the improvement of highly male-sterile lines by using molecular marker assisted breeding method.

The NAC-like transcription factor Si NAC110 in foxtail millet(Setaria italica L.) confers tolerance to drought and high salt stress through an ABA independent signaling pathway

Foxtail millet（Setaria italica（L.）P.Beauv）is a naturally stress tolerant crop.Compared to other gramineous crops,it has relatively stronger drought and lower nutrition stress tolerance traits.To date,the scope of functional genomics research in foxtail millet（S.italic L.）has been quite limited.NAC（NAM,ATAF1/2 and CUC2）-like transcription factors are known to be involved in various biological processes,including abiotic stress responses.In our previous foxtail millet（S.italic L.）RNA seq analysis,we found that the expression of a NAC-like transcription factor,SiNAC110,could be induced by drought stress;additionally,other references have reported that SiNAC110 expression could be induced by abiotic stress.So,we here selected SiNAC110 for further characterization and functional analysis.First,the predicted SiNAC110 protein encoded indicated SiNAC110 has a conserved NAM（no apical meristem）domain between the 11–139 amino acid positions.Phylogenetic analysis then indicated that SiNAC110 belongs to subfamily III of the NAC gene family.Subcellular localization analysis revealed that the SiNAC110-GFP fusion protein was localized to the nucleus in Arabidopsis protoplasts.Gene expression profiling analysis indicated that expression of SiNAC110 was induced by dehydration,high salinity and other abiotic stresses.Gene functional analysis using SiNAC110 overexpressed Arabidopsis plants indicated that,under drought and high salt stress conditions,the seed germination rate,root length,root surface area,fresh weight,and dry weight of the SiNAC110 overexpressed lines were significantly higher than the wild type（WT）,suggesting that the SiNAC110 overexpressed lines had enhanced tolerance to drought and high salt stresses.However,overexpression of SiN AC110 did not affect the sensitivity of SiNAC110 overexpressed lines to abscisic acid（ABA）treatment.Expression analysis of genes involved in proline synthesis,Na＋/K＋transport,drought responses,and aqueous transport proteins were higher in the SiNAC110overexpressed lines than in the WT,whereas expression of ABA-dependent pathway genes did not change.These results indicated that overexpression of SiNAC110 conferred tolerance to drought and high salt stresses,likely through influencing the regulation of proline biosynthesis,ion homeostasis and osmotic balance.Therefore,SiNAC110 appears to function in the ABA-independent abiotic stress response pathway in plants.

Genome-wide analysis and identification of cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase(CKX) gene family in foxtail millet(Setaria italica)

Cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase(CKX; EC.1.5.99.12) regulates cytokinin(CK) level in plants and plays an essential role in CK regulatory processes. CKX proteins are encoded by a small gene family with a varying number of members in different plants. In spite of their physiological importance, systematic analyses of SiCKX genes in foxtail millet have not yet been examined. In this paper, we report the genome wide isolation and characterization of SiCKXs using bioinformatic methods. A total of 11 members of the family were identified in the foxtail millet genome. SiCKX genes were distributed in seven chromosomes(chromosome 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 11). The coding sequences of all the SiCKX genes were disrupted by introns, with numbers varying from one to four. These genes expanded in the genome mainly due to segmental duplication events. Multiple alignment and motif display results showed that all SiCKX proteins share FAD- and CK-binding domains. Putative cis-elements involved in Ca2+-response, abiotic stress response, light and circadian rhythm regulation, disease resistance and seed development were present in the promoters of SiCKX genes. Expression data mining suggested that SiCKX genes have diverse expression patterns. Real-time PCR analysis indicated that all 11 SiCKX genes were up-regulated in embryos under 6-BA treatment, and some were NaCl or PEG inducible. Collectively, these results provide molecular insights into CKX research in plants.

Assessment of Genetic Relationship of Foxtail Millet with Its Wild Ancestor and Close Relatives by ISSR Markers

Inter simple sequence repeat（ISSR） analysis was applied to samples of foxtail millet and its wild ancestor and other close relatives of the genus Setaria in order to detect domestication-related geographical structure and phylogenetic relationship of those species.Eighty-one accessions of nine Setaria species that originated from different regions were used in this study.Fourteen out of the 27 ISSR primers screened amplified successfully and a total of 156 markers were scored for all the accessions,with a high level of polymorphism being detected.The dendrogram based on UPGMA cluster analysis showed clear geographic structure among foxtail millet and its wild ancestor green foxtail,which implies that northern China is the domestication center for both the Chinese and European foxtail millet landraces used in this study.This result did not support the hypothesis that China and Europe are independent domestication centers for foxtail millet proposed by several previous studies based on morphological and isozyme data.The dendrogram also clearly classified the Setaria sample used into two groups,a viridis and a pumila groups.The viridis group was composed of S.viridis,S.italica,S.faberii,S.verticillata,S.leucopila,and S.queenslandica,and the pumila group consisted of S.parviflora and S.pumila,which is consistent with the recently proposed hypothesis of multiple origin of Setaria species.The phylogenetic relationships among different species are discussed.

Heterotic Classes and Utilization Patterns in Chinese Foxtail Millet [<i>Setaria italica</i>(L.) P. Beauv]

Utilization of heterosis to develop hybrid cultivars can significantly increase yield of most crops including foxtail millet. However, previous foxtail millet hybrid cultivars have been largely developed from crosses between sterile lines and conventional varieties or between sterile lines and varieties that are geographically distent from the sterile lines. The research on classification of heterotic classes and determinetaion of heterotic patterns has not been reported, which results in uncertainty in selection of parents for crosses and delays progress in utilization of high yielding hybrids in large-scale commercial production. In this study, a core collection of 128 accessions from China was grouped into six classes using combined analyses of population structure, pedigree, and clustering. The classification was conducted based mainly on molecular clustering of genotypic data, also considered the population structure and mathematical clustering using phenotypic data, and was finally validated through pedigree analysis. According to the transgressive and superstandard heterosis for grain yield, plant height, panicle length, panicle diameter, single panicle weight, grain weight per panicle, and 1000-grain weight collected from an incomplete-diallel-cross experiment, we identified six superior heterosis patterns (C2/C1, C2/C4, C2/C5, C2/C6, C1/C5 and C4/C5) and four inferior heterosis patterns (C1/C3, C1/C4, C1/C6 and C4/C6), and explored their potential applications in millet hybrid breeding. This study laid a foundation for effective use of foxtail millet heterosis in improving millet hybrid yield.

Influences of four processing methods on main nutritional components of foxtail millet: A review

Foxtail millet, originated from China and now cultivated worldwide, is a kind of high dietary fiber whole grain food, and has a high level of vitamins and proteins. Furthermore, foxtail millet has many positive effects on the adjuvant treatment of diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases because of the abundance in polyphenols. Nonetheless, foxtail millet has poor processing characteristics due to the absence of gluten, restricting the development of foxtail millet products. Studies have demonstrated that heat-moisture treatment, extrusion, superfine grinding, and microbial fermentation are promising methods to improve the processing qualities of foxtail millet. Heat-moisture treatment is helpful to increase the content of resistant starch but has less influence on other components, further reduce the GI value of foxtail millet. The extrusion has positive effects on improving the solubility of foxtail millet starch and increasing the contents of polyunsaturated fatty acid, linoleic and linolenic acids, and adverse effects on reducing the solubility of foxtail millet proteins and causing losses of nutrients due to Maillard reaction. Superfine grinding can reduce the particle size of foxtail millet to obtain a better mouthfeel of foxtail millet products. The superfine foxtail millet flour has better solubility, higher freeze-thaw stability, and lower gelatinization temperature. Microbial fermentation contributes positively to reducing the molecular weight and retrogradation value of foxtail millet starch, degrading rapidly digested starch, and improving the digestibility of foxtail millet protein. This paper briefly introduced the effects of different processing methods on foxtail millet nutrients, aiming to provide references for increasing the variety and improving the quality of foxtail millet products.

Nutrient Composition of Different Foxtail Millet Seeds

Ten millet cultivars from China and abroad were analyzed for their crude fat, amylose and amylopectin, crude protein and amino acid content. A wide variation was observed in amylopectin contain, ranging from 54.47% to 69.26%, while amylose content ranged from 11.26% to 23.22%. The average crude fat in all cultivates was 3.46%, and most cultivates ranged from 3.1% to 3.7%. Protein contents ranged from 8.61% to 15.54% with a mean value of 11.94%. For amino acid composition, the ten cultivates were particularly rich in leucine, and the mean was 34.57 mg/g. The millet cultivars were also high in glycine, glutamic acid and cysteine. Millet was known to be limiting in the essential amino lysine, and the mean was 5.18 mg/g. Other amino acids, tyrosine, histidine and arginine were also very low in the ten cultivars. In general, significant nutrient composition differences were observed between the different millet cultivars, and A2 （a kind of mother line of the hybrid millet） and hybrid millet registered a higher level of protein and amino acid composition which would be useful in millet breeding.