Napier/King/Elephant/Uganda Grass Seeds

Other Names

Pennisetum purpureum

Seed Rate

Approx. 1 kg per acre

Germination time

10 – 15 Days

Growing period

This crop can be cultivated throughout the year under the Indian condition. Best time of showing is between 15th February to 15th March.

Recommended to remain in same field for 3 to 5 years.

Sowing Method

Plough and harrow the field well before planting (i.e. seedbed should be as good as that for planting maize). 

Sowing from Seeds: 1. Soak the seeds in water for 48 Hrs 2. Sow seeds on the mother bed with a spacing of 50 x 50 cm.

Plantation from Stem or root cuttings : Stem can be used for plating with a spacing of 50 x 50 cm. While planting, two nodes are buried inside the soil and one node is exposed to outside.

Soil Requirement

Can grow in a wide range of well drained soils.

Irrigation

Requires less water. But, irrigated Napier grass gives the highest growth and yield (May be once in 15 days or as per need)

Harvesting for fodder

Napier grass is ready for harvesting 3-4 months after planting and harvesting can continue at an interval of 6-8 weeks for 3 – 5 years. It is harvested at 3.5 m height.

Leave a stem length of 10 cm from the ground at harvesting.

How much to feed

Feed 70 kg or 7 headloads of fresh Napier grass to a dairy cow per day.