Effect of sowing dates on seed yield and seed quality of foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.)

The genotype KIFXG-22-02 (V₁₁) was identified as the most productive, as it consistently recorded superior growth parameters like greater plant height, extended flag leaf blade length and increased flag leaf blade width which contributed to its higher yield performance in comparison to the rest of the genotypes. The first sowing date S1: 9^th MW (29^th Feb.2024) resulted significantly higher seed yield and associated yield components in foxtail millet compared to the second sowing date 11^th MW (16^th Mar. 2024). The later sowing date S2: (11^th MW (16^th Mar. 2024)) was associated with an accelerated phenological progression, resulting in earlier attainment of both 50% flowering and maturity compared to the earlier sowing date S1: 9^th MW (29^th Feb. 2024). Superior seed quality was consistently recorded in foxtail millet seeds grown under the first sowing date (9^th MW (29^th Feb.2024)) compared to the second sowing date (S₂) [11^th MW (16^th Mar. 2024)]. Among the genotypes evaluated, KIFXG-22-02 (V₁₁) produced maximum seed yield (27.83 q ha^-1) under the first sowing date 9^th MW (29^th Feb. 2024). Growth parameters such as plant height, flag leaf length and width exhibited higher values under the first sowing date 9^th MW (29^th Feb. 2024) when compared with the second sowing date (S₂) [11^th MW (16^th Mar. 2024)]. Delayed sowing at S₂ (11^th MW (16^th Mar. 2024)) resulted in poorer seed quality compared to S₁ (9^th MW (29^th Feb. 2024)), with noticeable reductions in 1000-grain weight, germination per cent, seedling vigour indices (SVI-I & SVI-II).

Postponing sowing from S₁ (9^th MW (29^th Feb. 2024)) to the S₂ [11^th MW (16^th Mar. 2024)] led to a 14.02 per cent decrease in seed yield.