Objective In order to reduce the impact of fertilizers on the land and respond to the policy "reducing fertilizers and increasing efficiency", it is necessary to screen for foxtail millet varieties with high nitrogen use efficiency in order to decrease the usage of nitrogen fertilizer.

Methods This experiment used the principal component analysis method to score and classify 10 nitrogen efficiency indicators of 20 foxtail millet varieties.

Results There were different degrees of variation in 10 nitrogen efficiency indicators among different foxtail millet varieties, with a coefficient of variation of 5.61% to 24.56%. According to the results of principal component analysis, the cumulative contribution rate of the first 3 principal components was 99.46%, which comprehensively reflected the nitrogen efficiency information. Combined with the comprehensive nitrogen efficiency scores and grain yield of each variety, the high-yielding and nitrogen-efficient varieties Jiugu 168, Zhangzagu 16, Nenxuan 15, Zhonggu 9, Jinmiao K2 and Jigu 22, low-yielding and nitrogen-efficient varieties Nenxuan 18, Yugu 18 and Yugu 35, low-yielding and nitrogen-efficient varieties Gonggu 88, Huangjinmiao, Shanxi Honggu, Jigu 39, Longgu 38, Jiuggu 23, Chaogu 58, Datong 29 and Zhonggu 2, and high-yielding and nitrogen-efficient varieties Longgu 13 and Chiyao Jinmiao 1 were preliminarily screened.

Conclusion Jiugu 168, Zhangzagu 16, Nenxuan 15, Zhonggu 9, Jinmiao K2 and Jigu 22 can be used as high-yielding and nitrogen-efficient varieties for promotion and application in semi-arid areas.