The grass is cut every 45 to 60 days after the first harvest, which is 90 days from planting. The intake and palatability of four different types of. Opportunities for napier grass pennisetum purpureum. Napier grass, aka pennisetum purpureum, aka elephant grass, is a tropical grass found in africa. Napier grass is a fast growing, deeply rooted, perennial grass growing up to 4 metres tall that can spread by underground stems to form thick ground cover. Chemical composition of napier grass pennisetum purpureum. It is a multipurpose forage crop, primarily used to feed cattle in cut and carry feeding systems. Yield and nutritive quality of nine napier grass varieties. Sep 14, 2010 there are examples of ornamental napier grass in the heritage rose garden and the idea garden. Nutrient composition, napier grass, plant height, silage, additives created date. Kakamega 1 and kakamega 3 could be used as alternatives to the currently grown bana grass in kenya.
The use of biogas as an alternative fuel was one option to reduce the effects of global warming that the use of fossil fuel caused of greenhouse gases increasing. It originates from africa, but it can be found around the world today. Cenchrus purpureus schumach, also known as napier grass, elephant grass or uganda grass, is a species of perennial tropical grass native to the african grasslands. Napier grass is one of the important perennial tropical forage crop belong to family poaceae. Pdf evaluation of napier grass pennisetum purpureum.
Introducing a spectacular hybrid super napier plant that has unique characteristics to adopt as animal feedstock by the livestock owners. It is fast spreading around the world among farm communities due to its impressive fast. The use of napier grass pennisetum purpureum and maize zea. Characterization and diversity studies on a small collection of napier grasses have identified a moderate. Napier grass, elephant grass, merker grass synonymy. The effectiveness of combinations of calliandra with napier grass used in hedges for erosion control is thought to be due to. Popularly known as napier grass or pennisetum purpureum plays significant role for artisan textiles. Milk is marketed through kcc, private milk processing plants and through hawkers. Napier grass meal was as effective in maintaining the growth of the birds as lucern meal. Biomass of napier grass was presoaked with 1% h 2so 4, or 1% naoh, and then exposed to 75 and 150kgy of electron beam irradiation. Sep 12, 20 the critical factors for napier grass for power plants projects are harvesting of the grass, moisture content in the grass, transportation to the preparation factory, and making the dried grass into pellet form or else to be able to use in the reactor of gasification process. Napier grass constitutes between 40 to 80% of forages used by smallholder dairy farmers in kenya. One acre of tumbukiza napier grass can give enough feed for two to three dairy cows for one year.
It has low water and nutrient requirements, and therefore can make use of otherwise uncultivated lands. It is also the main source for paper production in mnay regions. Pdf opportunities for napier grass pennisetum purpureum. Napier grass, pennisetum purpureum also known as elephant grass is native to africa and has been used extensively in kenya to improve upon small holder dairy production. Thailand has been producing electricity from napier grass wi th the target in the years 20122021 at 3000 mw but was still insufficient for the present. The grass grows tall and forms large clumps like bamboo. This is a very brief sampling of some of the more popular grasses. Napier grass consisted of the leaves with the tendergrowth tips plucked by hand twice daily in a manner to simulate grazing, from plots representing the growth of the preceding 4 weeks, the plots having been harvested in the same manner at that time. A super napier from thailand department of agriculture. Brachiaria helps farmers produce high quality forage the.
This is because the elephant grass leaves are stiff. Robust perennial to 4 m ft tall, forming thick clumps or colonies from basal offshoots or short rhizomes. Overview information couch grass is a grass that is an invasive weed. Elephant grass, also known as napier grass or ugandan grass, is type of tropical plant that belongs to the grass family. Per square meter, napier grass can produce fresh forage of 2. Feed 70 kg or 7 headloads of fresh napier grass to a dairy cow per day. A range of grass species are used as fodder crops by farmers in africa.
The 59daysold plants in photo are already about 10 feet tall. Chop the harvested napier grass and desmodium to reduce wastage while feeding to animals. In kenya, dairy production is mainly in the medium and high potential agricultural areas, which occupy about 17 % of the countrys land. Use of black soldier fly larvae hermetia illucens to. Napier grass is one of the most important forages used by more than 90% of smallscale farmers as fodder for their cows, sheep and goats. Elephantgrass is also called merker grass, napiergrass, uganda grass and by several other names in different parts of the world. It is used as feed to the cattle directly or it can also be made as hay or even silage. Napier grass is a large perennial grass with erect stems that grow to 15 feet tall.
The tumbukiza method of planting allows for the growth of the grass all year round and the feed is available even during the dry season. Poaceae includes the cereal grasses, bamboos and the grasses of natural grassland and cultivated lawns and pasture the poaceae are the most important source of the worlds dietary energy supply. They have finetoothed margins, and sparse hairs on the leaf surface. In thailand, one hectare of pakchong 1 can produce as much as 500 tons of biomass in one year. Samples of napier grass, sbm, and bsf larvae age 1 week bsf1 and 2 weeks bsf2 were arranged according to the following dietary treatments dry matter dm basis. The asareca napier grass disease resistance project web site is designed to raise awareness on two major diseases affecting napier grass in eastern africa. Napier grass pennisetum purpureum and maize zea mays bran were tested as lowcost inputs to earthern ponds and concrete tanks. Buntotpusa is a common names shared by 1 dysohylla auricularia 2 pennisetum polystachum, foxtail engl. Make different fodder crops available to bw farmers. The experiment had a randomized complete block design and animal to animal variation was used as the blocking factor. But in quality, this napier grass is better than sugarcane.
This elephant grass is also known by the name of napier grass. Request pdf use of napier grass to improve smallholder milk production in kenya in kenya, dairy production is mainly in the medium and high potential agricultural areas, which occupy about 17. The productivity of napier grass in western and central kenya. The leaves are flat and straplike, up to an inchandahalf wide, and several feet long. Napier grass is a high yielding fodder crop with good palatability, highly nutritious especially when young, dark green leaves and less than 1 metre tall. In experiment 1, fresh napier grass was given at 50 kg dry matter dm ha. Napier grass, cultivars, dm, tillers, leaf, intake. It is a multipurpose forage crop, primarily used to feed cattle in cut and carry feeding. Pennisetum purpureum ufifas center for aquatic and. It is also used to divert the pests and insects away from other food crops like corn. Yield and nutritive quality of nine napier grass varieties in. At the end of this training, the trainee will be able to successfully establish napier grass and cassava and maintain them up to harvesting.
Napier grass production napier grass, among other forages, is used as the basal diet for dairy animals. This freshly cut napier grass constituted the entire nutrient intake of four. Napier grass diseases and pests, description, uses. Uses of elephant grass napier grass artisan textiles. May 23, 2018 this is because the napier grass leaves are stiff, hairy and its stems is hard enough. The use of materials with high water content results in loss. Keep your eyes open as you travel around town and country. In african countries, it is used as a forage for elephants and hence, it is also termed as elephant grass. Important criteria for selecting a feedstock are cost, consistent biomass production, composition, and process related quality. Napier grass, varieties, nutritive quality, yield introduction napier grass pennisetum purpureum occurs naturally throughout tropical africa and particularly in east africa. Uses applications mostly planted for cut and carry systems,and not for long term grazed pastures.
Napier or elephant grass pennisetum purpureum was first introduced to malaysia in the 1920s and several cultivars had been introduced since 1950s. Buntotpusa, pennisetum purpureum, napier grass, xiang cao. Stunt caused by tiny bacteria and smut caused by fungi can cause serious reduction in yields if not managed, therefore threatening the dairy industry and associated livelihoods of the region. Emerging diseases, mainly fungal, viral or mycoplasmal are affecting many napier grass varieties. Pennisetum species is a tall perennial plant, growing to 2 6mts tall, rarely up to 7. One acre of napier grass planted by the tumbukiza method can give enough feed for 2 to 3 dairy cows for one year. It is also used as a soil stabilizer in soil conservation methods and can be intercropped with various forage legumes. Different uses of napier napier grass stunt and smut project. This grass is commonly known as elephant grass, king grass, napier grass, or cane grass. Hybrid napier is a perennial grass which can be retained on field for 23 years. Production, characterization and nutritional quality of.
Napier grass is the main fodder grown by over 70% of smallholder farmers in kenya. On its native continent, it is an important source of fodder for farm animals. Napier grass is planted in marginal lands and slopes to increase soil fertility and to reduce soil erosion. The four different types of napier grass silage were stallfed to eight merino wethers. Napier grass has become the hottest issue in terms of alternative energy topic. One acre of napier grass planted by the conventional method can give enough feed for 1 to 2 dairy cows for one year. Department of agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11, typically reaching 3 to 4 feet tall.
Feed 70 kg or 7 headloads of fresh unchopped napier grass to a dairy cow per day. Napier grass is grown along maize or sorghum in rows or in borders to reduce the stem borer population. Elephant grass seeds pennisetum purpureum known as elephant grass or napier grass native to africa and introduced to most tropical and subtropical countries where it has become naturalised. Napier grass used to be promoted in uganda for soil conservation and for mulching coffee. Field productivities of napier grass for production of sugars. Read article about uses of elephant grass are numerous. Uses of napier grass or elephant grass for cattle feed. The wethers were penned individually and fed the grass silage in four separate troughs. Couch grass root is taken by mouth for constipation, cough, bladder swelling. This easycare grass features purpleblack foliage and upright, spiky growth habits. This is mainly because napier is a fast growing grass that can grow up to 4 metres tall. An alternative may be the use of widely available napier grass as a lowcost feed or organic fertilizer williamson, 1975. Napier grass, also known as elephant or uganda grass, is one of the most important tropical forage crops. Napier grass pennisetum purpurerum and similar hybrids.
Production, characterization and nutritional quality of napier grass. Ornamental grasses give landscapes relaxed look east texas. Biomass yields from napier grass range between 12150mgha. Native to tropical africa, napier grass grows as a perennial in u. Napier grass, cultivars, dm, tillers, leaf, intake, milk. The inflorescence of napier grass is a cylindrical spike at the. Napier grass pennisetum purpureum l schum is being developed as a bioenergy crop for production in the southeastern united states. One hectare of this super napier can produce 500 tons, harvested four times in one year.
In fact so great is the threat that loss of napier grass feed could lead to the collapse of the smallholder dairy industry. Compared to the old napier variety, it is much higher yielding. Surface morphology and chemical composition of napier grass fibers 892 about 39. It has larger leaves, softer and less persistent hairs of leaf blades and sheaths and less sharp leaf edges. A nutritious silage, highly palatable to animals, can be prepared after adding molasses 2% and salt 0. Maize bran has been used as a major fishpond input, but is also used for human consumption during the rainy season kadongola, 1990. New planting method increases napier grass yields by 20. Napier grass possesses many desirable characteristics, including high. If the land area is m2, then multiplied it to 2,140 kg or 2. Due to high population pressure in these areas, smallholders 23 ha form 80 % of the population. It is a very versatile species that can be grown under a wide range of conditions and systems. It is native to africa but is now grown in many tropical countries. Napier grass commonly known as elephant grass is an important fodder in uganda and has been increasingly associated with intensive stallfeedingzero grazing and semiintensive dairy cattle and.
Napier grass is a tall perennial grass reaching over 3m high, resistant to drought, and grows at altitudes up to 2400m with a minimum rainfall of 900mm henderson and preston, 1959. It thrives in areas with tropical climate, on the moist, fertile soil. Napier grass diseases and pests, description, uses, propagation. Couch grass scientifically known as elymus repens is a diuretic herb that is native to europe, asia as well as northwest africa. It is widely used in cut and carry feeding systems and is of growing importance in other agricultural systems. We called it super napier because it is outstanding in a number of significant ways. Use of napier grass to improve smallholder milk production in. It is a perennial grass and the common names are witch grass, wheat grass, couchgrass, durfa grass, quack grass, dog grass, quick grass, scutch grass as well as twitch grass. The following napier grass varieties are available in kenya for use. The ethanol production will be reduced due to the hemicelluloses content which was composed by pentose.
Elephant grass grows in the pastures, open woodlands, wastelands, along the lakes and rivers and near the roads. The quality of this napier grass is practically medium. Herbage yield and chemical composition of four varieties. It is one of the highest yielding tropical grasses. It is a tall, stout and deeprooted perennial bunch grass well known for its high yielding capability and usage as forage for livestock woodard and prine, 1991. It carries the name napiergrass to recognize the contribution of colonel napier of rhodesia who first wrote to the rhodesian agricultural department to make them aware of the value of this plant. Napier grass is the latest energy crop being promoted by the thai government. Evaluation of different pretreatments of napier grass for. You might even find a native grass that appeals to you.
Furthermore, in this article i will use both names. In kenya, dairy production is mainly in the medium and high potential agricultural areas and because of high population pressure, smallholders 23 ha form 80 % of the population. The disease was first observed on farmers fields in masaka district in. With the expansion of napier grass crop, however, has come a new disease called napier stunt also known as kugengewala. Napier grass department of alternative energy development. Hybrid napier grass cultivation for dairy animals agri. Chemical composition of napier grass pennisetum purpureum at different stages of growth and napier grass silages with additives author. The high drymatter yields of this grass orodho 2006, cook et al.
Based on the computation according to equation 2, the data table 1 reveal that 65. This c 4 grass is included in the global compendium of weeds where it is listed as an agricultural and environmental weed as well as an invasive species randall, 2012. In uganda and kenya, for example, vigorous campaigns are being undertaken to sensitise and encourage farmers to. Consequently, many fishponds are left unfed edwards, 1987. Digestibility of napier grass pennisetum purpureum grass. The low digestibility of napier grass is probably due to the fact that napier grass is a more fibrous grass than guinea grass and duckweed. Napier grass is also used in integrated pest management strategy as pull crop mainly in maize and sorghum producing areas.
The farmer field school ffs and farmer participatory research fpr approaches were used to upscale tumbukiza, a kiswahili word meaning placing in a hole, a new method of napier grass production started by farmers which. Use of napier grass to improve smallholder milk production. Use of napier grass to improve smallholder milk production in kenya. In this study, we considered the effects of fertilizer application and cutting regimes on production yield, chemical composition, and. Use of calliandranapier grass contour hedges to control. Since the goal of grass biomass production of this work was for energy purposes, the lower levels of moisture implies in more efficient combustion. Compared to napier grass, hybrid napier produces numerous leaves. Couch grass root is taken by mouth for constipation, cough, bladder swelling inflammation. Dede has poured in over thb350 million worth of research budget and targets to produce as much as 3,000mw electricity from napier grass. The use of napier grass pennisetum purpureum and maize.
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