ABSTRACT
Proso (Panicum miliaceum L., Gramineae) is a short-season species which has more tolerance to warm weather than most cereal grains. It is a grass plant with a C-4 photosynthesis cycle. It produces a seed that is slightly oblong and about 4 to 5 mm long. The seed can be used for human food but has a rather strong flavor. It is used for hog, poultry, cattle, and bird feed. There is some discrepancy as to the place of origin of proso. Matz 10 indicated that proso is probably native to Egypt and Arabia, while Lysov and Gudimovich 8 suggested that China was the place of origin. Proso is grown in most parts of the world as a minor crop. It is best adapted to places of low rainfall and short growing season.
