Setaria italica is a legume. Its edible seeds are white, oval, dark green or brown in color, and contain about forty percent protein. Fertilized Setaria italica is an excellent source of iron, phosphorous, calcium, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, panaxyl, inulin, phytosterols, and other vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and trace elements. The vitamin content is adequate for vegetarians or people with protein deficiencies. It has a very high mineral, vitamin, and antioxidant content and is useful as a dietary supplement in vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
The nutritional value of this annual grass is not known but it appears to be an excellent source of carbohydrates, protein, and a combination of vitamins and minerals. Some experts consider it to have similar nutritional value to alfalfa, but it is more palatable and has a stronger aroma. Fertilized foxtail millets contain a large number of carbohydrates, including twenty to thirty percent crude proteins, and twenty to thirty percent cellulose. There is no significant bacterial activity in this grass.
The total area of this crop is limited and about five thousand kilograms per hectare is available in the seedling stage. About nine thousand kilograms is available in the litter layer. Populations grow best in cool, dry climates.