Mobilization of stored reserves and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) during a 60 h germination of five foxtail millet cultivars (JG-34,JG-36,77-322,JG-41 and SG-1) were investigated in this study. The millet were germinated at 25 ℃ in dark incubator. The results showed that during 60 h of germination,respiration rate in five cultivars increased,SG-1 and JG-34 were higher than other cultivars; starch content decreased significantly in the range of 43%-60 %; reducing sugar content and free amino acid content increased in the range of 60%-136 % and 127%-180 %,respectively; soluble protein content increased during all germination periods. There are significant increase of GABA content in five millet cultivars during germination,the increased extent were 1.92-2.61-fold,GABA content in JG-34 had the highest among all cultivars tested,which lead to 13.54 mg/100g. Variance analysis indicated that there were significant difference (P<0.01) in GABA content among all cultivars. JG-34 of five cultivars could be considered as a good source for GABA accumulation. GABA content in millet during germination was significantly positive correlation with sprout length,respiration rate,soluble protein and free amino acid,respectively.