Evaluations of Yield and Functional Properties of Italian Millet(Setaria italica) Varieties by Different Cultivation Areas in Korea.

The purpose of this study was to assess the growth characteristic, yield and functional properties Italian millet varieties by different cultivation areas in Korea. Collected Italian millet varieties were grown in three growing areas (Gangneung, Jinbu, Daegwallyeong). These areas are 40meters, 600meters and 800meters above sea level and sowed 15th, 18th and 19th May?respectively Gangneung, Jinbu and Daegwallyeong. Days of growing season from seeding to maturing stage were 96¢¦124 days in Gangneung, 95¢¦125 days in Jinbu and 121¢¦149 days in Daegwallyeong depending on the cultivars. Yield in Jinbu(131¢¦492kg/10a) was more stable than other growing area. Cultivar 'Gangchajo' and 'Hukjo' couldn't harvest the grains in Daegwallyeong. And this study was carried out in order to determine the functional properties such as total phenolic compound (TPC) and antioxidant activities in seven cultivars of Italian millet. Their antioxidant activities were measured using DPPH free radical scavenging activities. The content of TPC was showed various values by varieties. When the 'Gangchajo'. 'Jangsuhwangchajo', 'Mejo' and 'Oljo' cultivars were cultivated in Daegwallyeong, the highest TPC value was detected. But in case of the highest TPC value of 'Cheongchajo' and 'Hwanggumchajo' was shown in Jinbu The highest TPC(2,959 ug/g) measured in the cultivar 'Cheongchajo' as it was cultivated in Jinbu. The free radical scavenging activity using DPPH method was highest in the cultivar 'Mejo'(37%) as it was cultivated in Gangneung. Antioxidant activities were shown different values by growing area rather than those of varieties. Antioxidant activities were higher in Gangneung than other growing areas. These results suggest that Italian millet (Setaria italica) had the potent functional properties and that their activities exhibited differently depending on cultivars and growing area.