SUPER NAPIER GRASS

Plant characteristics

• Plant Type: Perennial, high-yielding hybrid fodder grass
• Growth Habit: Fast-growing, clump-forming with profuse tillering
• Plant Height: 3–4 meters (10–13 ft) under good management
• Tillering: Produces 20–40 tillers per clump, forming dense bunches

Leaf characteristics

• Leaf colour: Dark green
• Leaf type: Long, linear leaves with prominent midrib
• Leaf size: Broad and long leaves (60–90 cm length)
• Leaf shape: Narrow, lance-shaped leaves arranged alternately
• Leaves are soft, juicy, and highly palatable, suitable for green fodder and silage

Stem characteristics

• • Stem colour: Light green to pale yellow
• • Stem type: Thick, succulent, cane-like stems
• • Stem thickness: 1.5–3 cm diameter
• • Stems are juicy and rich in fiber, contributing to high biomass

Fodder characteristics

• Fodder colour: Fresh green
• Fodder type: High biomass green fodder
• First harvest: 60–75 days after planting
• Subsequent harvests: Every 40–50 days
• Harvest height: Best cut at 1–1.5 meters for quality fodder
• Suitable for green feeding and silage making

Other characteristics

• Average yield: 100–140 tons per acre per year
• Lifespan: Productive for 4–5 years
• Propagation: Through stem cuttings/slips (2–3 nodes)
• Water requirement: Requires regular irrigation
• Nutritional value: Contains 8–12% crude protein
• Suitability: Ideal for cows, buffaloes, and goats; improves milk production
• Recommended Season: Year-round planting under irrigation; best during February–March and June–July