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

The field experiment was undertaken during summer season of the year 2024 with two sowing dates S1: 9th MW (29th Feb. 2024) and S2: 11th MW (16th Mar. 2024) as the main plot treatment and 12 foxtail millet genotypes along with two checks as the sub plot treatment for the investigation of the 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: 9th MW (29th Feb.2024) resulted significantly higher seed yield and associated yield components in foxtail millet compared to the second sowing date 11th MW (16th Mar. 2024). The later sowing date S2: (11th MW (16th 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: 9th MW (29th Feb. 2024). Superior seed quality was consistently recorded in foxtail millet seeds grown under the first sowing date (9th MW (29th Feb.2024)) compared to the second sowing date (S₂) [11th MW (16th Mar. 2024)]. Among the genotypes evaluated, KIFXG-22-02 (V11) produced maximum seed yield (27.83 q ha-1) under the first sowing date 9th MW (29th Feb. 2024). Growth parameters such as plant height, flag leaf length and width exhibited higher values under the first sowing date 9th MW (29th Feb. 2024) when compared with the second sowing date (S₂) [11th MW (16th Mar. 2024)]. Delayed sowing at S₂ (11th MW (16th Mar. 2024)) resulted in poorer seed quality compared to S₁ (9th MW (29th Feb. 2024)), with noticeable reductions in 1000-grain weight, germination per cent, seedling vigour indices (SVI-I & SVI-II). Postponing sowing from S₁ (9th MW (29th Feb. 2024)) to the S₂ [11th MW (16th Mar. 2024)] led to a 14.02 per cent decrease in seed yield.