Abstract: The hereditary characters of seed prtoein content in fifteen crosscombinations of spring foxtail millet (Setaria italics Beauv,)were studied,The results showed that F, had a higher hybrid vigor with a matroclinal inheritance, Types with non-dominance, complete positive or complete negative dominance were not found in these combinations, but the types with partially positive dominance amounted to 53,8%of the total while the types with superparental heterosis consisted of 23,1%.F progenies varied greatly and had single-peak distribution curves or double-peak distribution curves,Normal distribution tests revealed that F had a normal distribution with a small deviation for g:>0 .Nevertheless, not all of the mating groups exh bited normal segregation, Additive effects were found predominant in inheri-tance while dominant effects also existed, Generally, h愁of the protein content was about 46.16-55,7900, 4G was about 1,07-1.83 00. }G} was about 7, 97-14.07%。In these combinatons, superparent phenomena were widespread,and a great number of high protein individuals were found, Therefore, an early generation selection might lead to a good result, As F was highly significantly correlated with MP and the female parent, four principles for parent selection were suggested.

Key words: Foxtial millet (Setaria italica Beauv, Protein contenty, Genetic analysis