Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Author(s):
Bukke Triveni, Kancharana Anand Rao, Allu Teja, Mula Ravi Kumar and Varun Singh

Abstract:
This review paper aims at an in-depth analysis of the package of practices, the challenges & opportunities in hybrid napier grass production. A comprehensive review of available literature and various reports by govt. as well as non govt. organizations have been done as part of the methodology for preparing the manuscript. Napier grass is a native of tropical Africa and introduced in India in 1912. After two to three decades of its cultivation in India, Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) was intercrossed with African Bajra (Pennisetum typhoidium) to form Pusa Giant Napier which combines some qualities of bajra like succulency, leafiness, fine texture, palatability, fast growing and drought resistant ability with outstanding yield potential and perennial nature of napier grass. It is comparatively less hairy, less fibrous and grows faster producing more tillers, numerous large greener leaves with less serrated leaf margins, softer leaf sheaths. It contains 25% more crude protein and 12% more sugar than napier grass resulted into less wastage occurs while it’s cutting and feeding to the animal. Hybrid napier cuttings can be delayed longer than napier grass without any loss to its feeding value. In addition the crop has comparatively high leaf to stem ratio and is almost free from pest and diseases.