King Grass

 King Grass

King Grass

King Grass

King Grass is a fast growing, high yield, hybrid grass that is neither genetically modified nor invasive. It grows in a variety of soil conditions and does not compete with food crops. Giant King Grass is perennial and can be harvested several times per year. King grass is a common name used in several tropical and subtropical regions for a hybrid fodder grass, typically a cross between elephant grass (Napier grass, Pennisetum purpureum) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum / Pennisetum americanum). It's sometimes called "Napier hybrid," "elephant grass hybrid," or "king grass" interchangeably depending on the country. King Grass (Napier grass) (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) is the key diet of many elephants, and as such, is commonly known as elephant grass () but it may also be named as elephant grass due to its robust growth as opposed to other grass species. 

Here's an overview:

Characteristics

• A tall, fast-growing perennial grass, often reaching 3–4 meters (10–13 ft) in height
• Thick, cane-like stems similar to sugarcane, with broad leaves
• Propagated vegetatively from stem cuttings rather than seed (the hybrid is often sterile or seed propagation is unreliable)
• Deep, extensive root system, which helps with drought tolerance and soil stabilization
• It is rapidly growth grass of 4m of height.
• It is perennial grass with 7 years of life.
• Frost have the worst attack on the grass, kill the top of the Grass.
• Roots can survived and propagated by division or seedlings.
• Also used as fodder for Cows, Sheeps, and Goats
• This crop is best for tropical and sub-tropical area.
• King Grass required 100 days of sun-shine every year.
• 750-800mm of water or irrigation is required for this crop.
• It is very high productive grass, up to 350 tone/hectares.
• By King Grass, 3-4 harvest per year is possible
• Suitable for wide range of soil including acidic, red loam and mildly saline soil.
• Can be planted on dry land, hilly areas , agriculture fields, and plains
• Napier grass is fed green to livestock.
• Excess green feed can be preserved in the form of silage.

Water

Napier grass requires a high amount of water for its growth.  in a large study conducted in Ethiopia with 84 varieties reported varying yields of this grass between varieties, ranging from 2.7 (cv. 18662) to 68.1 (cv. 16791) t/ha/year (mean, 34.1 t/ha/year), but there was little yield difference within varieties due to water stress. For example, the yield of cv. 18662 was 2.7 and 2.9 t/ha and that of cv. 16791 was 67.4 and 68.1 t/ha under severe and moderate stress conditions. Severe and moderate water stress conditions were defined as 10 and 20% volumetric water content imposed in the dry season from November to May, but rainfed conditions prevailed in other seasons in both groups.  in a field experiment at Fresno, California, reported that drip irrigation at either 80% or 120% of daily measured reference evapotranspiration (ET) applied on 8-day intervals had no effect on yield. 

 

Why it's used

• High biomass yield — it produces large amounts of green fodder per hectare, often cited as one of the highest-yielding forage grasses
• High nutritional value for livestock (cattle, buffalo, goats, sometimes rabbits) when harvested at the right stage — usually cut every 45–60 days for optimal protein content before it gets too fibrous
• Multiple cuttings per year — because it regrows quickly after cutting
• Soil and erosion control — its root system helps stabilize soil on slopes, and it's sometimes used as a windbreak or living fence
• Drought and heat tolerance — suited to tropical climates with strong sun and seasonal rainfall