Abstract: Based on the field performance of millet （Setaria italica Beauv.） variety Yugu 18 in Nanyang City, Henan Province in the past five years, the relationship between rainfall and millet yield was studied. The influencing factors of millet yield were analyzed by correlation analysis and principal component analysis in order to provide a scientific basis for high-yield cultivation techniques of millet in Nanyang City. The results showed that the factors affecting millet yield from large to small were rainfall, ear grain mass, single ear mass, ear diameter, ear length, 1 000-grain weight, growth period, sunshine hours, grain emergence rate, plant height and number of ears. Among them, the yield was negatively correlated with rainfall, 1 000-grain mass, growth period and plant height, and the correlation with rainfall reached a significant level （P<0.05）; the yield was positively correlated with other indicators, and the correlation with ear grain mass and single ear mass reached a significant level （P<0.05）. Rainfall was negatively correlated with the main agronomic traits of millet such as single ear mass, ear grain mass, ear length and ear diameter. When rainfall was high, the agronomic traits such as ear mass, ear grain mass, ear length, and ear diameter became smaller, and disease such as millet blast, and bacterial brown streak disease was severe, ultimately leading to lower yields. Therefore, a plot or hilly slope with high terrain, flat terrain and waterlogging resistance should be chosen when planting millet in Nanyang City. It is necessary to prevent millet blast and bacterial brown streak disease in years with high rainfall.

Key words: millet（Setaria italica Beauv.）, Yugu 18, yield, agronomic trait, rainfall, correlation analysis, Nanyang City of Henan Province