Napier CO1 Grass Slips

Description

The variety is a derivative of the cross PI 2787 (Bajra × Pennisetum purpureum(Merkeson) and developed at TNAU, Coimbatore and recommended for cultivation in southzone of the country. It is a drought tolerant, high yielding variety. It has plant height of 232 cm, non-lodging, profuse tillering (26 tillers/culm), highly leafy (354 leaves/culm), high leaf stem ratio (0.94) and black purple ear head. The average green fodder yield is 300 t/ha.
(CVRC-Notification no. 596(E) dated 13th August 1984). Hybrid Napier-3 (Swetika): This was developed at IGFRI, Jhansi by hybridization of Napier grass and Bajra (PSB-2). The variety was notified for cultivation in north and central zone of the country. This is profuse tillering type, erect with narrow upright leaves with quick regeneration ability and have thin stem like Guinea grass. It is tolerant to frost and low temperature and is suitable for low pH, and have field resistance to Helminthosporium blight. It gives 70–80 t/ha green fodder and 18 t/ha dry fodder.