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The current study is a sequel study to explore and to examine Foxtail millet (Setaria italica L. Beauv) as a healthy food. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potency of Foxtail Millet grown under sub optimum condition and possibility of improving its genetic variation by inducing mutation for promoting its development in marginal lands. This paper provides information the tolerance of Setaria to sub optimum water conditions. Setaria seeds genotype of Gambir Manis were treated with Gamma ray with different levels i.e. 0 Gy, 25 Gy, 75 Gy, and 100 Gy and planted in a greenhouse condition. Prior to flowering phase, the plants were subjected to water shortage by reducing watering intervals i.e., every day, once every 2 days, 4 days and 6 days. Randomized Block Design was used in the experiment with four replications. Nutritional quality, crop growth and production were evaluated. The results suggested that nutritional quality of foxtail millet as food is considerably high and healthy. Radiation treatment of 25 Gy, 50 Gy and 75 Gy performed the best plant growth. Reduction in watering intervals up to 6 days did not significantly affect the plant growth. Combination of 25 Gy and watering every 2 day showed an optimum growth and production. It can be concluded that Foxtail millet can be promoted as a healthy and tolerant crop to water shortage. Mutation by gamma ray in particular level seems possible to improve the plant towards drought resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Not only attractive as a model plant, foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv] is a nutritious cereal. S.italica is tolerant to dry land but is less adaptive to shaded environments. Expanding this cereal's planting area through an intercropping system is part of its conservation as underutilized cereal in Indonesia. Buru Kuning is one of the superior foxtail millet accessions from Maluku. The study aimed to improve Buru Kuning accession productivity in shade conditions through radiation. This study was arranged in a Nested Design. The main plot was the different levels of shading (full light, 55% shade, and 75% shade). The subplot was the dose of Gamma Rays (wildtype of Buru Kuning, 25 Gy, 50 Gy, 100 Gy, and 200 Gy). The results showed that shade conditions decreased plant growth and production compared to full light. The results revealed that dosage 25 Gy radiation effectively improves Buru Kuning accession tolerance to shade without loos its prominent characters. Mutant 25 Gy adapted better than wildtype to 55% reduced light intensity recommended for developing in the intercropping system cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]