4. HYBIYD NAPIER - Cumbu Napier Ottupull
It is a triploid hybrid between Napier and pearl
millet (cumbu or bajra) having
(Pennisetum purpureum x P. americanum )
chromosome number 2n = 20, 21. Babala was the
first hybrid developed in South Africa
Pusa Giant, NB 21, NB 37, IGFRI 5, IGFRI 7 and
IGFRI 10 (developed from Indian Grassland
Research Institute, Jhansi) are superior hybrids
developed in India,
Col, Co2 and C03 ,CO4,CO5are also superior
varieties released from Tamil Nadu Agricultural
University. Varieties are suitable for growing
throughout the year
in all districts in Tamil Nadu
5. characteristic features of CO-3 fodder grass
It is one of the highest yielding perennial tropical
fodder grasses and considered as cut-and-carry
forage for stall feeder systems.
The characteristic features of CO-3 fodder grass are:
profuse tillering,
high yield potential,
high dry matter and crude protein content,
quick regeneration capacity,
high leaf to stem ratio, high palatability, free from
pest and diseases and low in adverse factors.
6. Cumbu Napier Hybrid Grass – CO (BN) 5
High green fodder yield (360 t/ha /yr) and dry
matter yield (79.2t/ha/yr).
Crude protein yield (6.07 t/ha /year).
More palatability because of succulent stems
with soft lush green leaves.
Winter hardiness.
Quick regeneration capacity.
Free from pest and disease.
Superior ratooning ability rendering seven
cuttings per year.
First cut on 75-80 days after planting and
subsequent cuttings at 45 days interval
7. Climate and soil
The grass grows throughout the year in the
tropics.
The optimum temperature is about 31° C. Light
showers alternated with bright sunshine are very
congenial to the crop.
Total water requirement of the grass is 800-1000
mm.
Light loams and sandy soil are preferred to than
heavy soils.
The grass does not thrive well on water logged
and flood prone lands.
It tolerates a pH range from 5 to 8.
8. 1. Preparation of field
Plough with an iron plough two to three times to
obtain good tilth.
9. 2. Application of FYM
Apply and spread 25 t /FYM/ha of or compost
every year on the unploughed Iand .
and incorporate the manure in the soil during
ploughing.
10. 3. Forming Ridges
Form ridges and furrows Wiling a ridger, 6 m long
and 50 cm apart and form
irrigation channels across furrows.
11. 4. Application of Fertilizers
Apply NPK fertilizers as per soil test
recommendations as far as possible. If soil
testing is not done, follow the blanket
recommendations of 50 : 50 : 40 of kg NPK /ha.
Application of Azospirillum and
Phosphobacterium along with 75% of
recommended dose of N and P fertilizers
enhanced the yield besides saving of 25% of
fertilizer dose.
12. Spacing and seed rate
The spacing recommended and adopted is 50 cm X
50 cm.
40,000 cuttings(two budded) are planted per ha.
13. Planting
Planting is done with the onset of monsoon or any
time, if irrigation facility is available.
Being a sterile hybrid, the grass is planted by
rooted slips or by stem cuttings.
Cuttings with 2 nodes from the middle portion of
moderately matured stems (3 – 4 months old) are
preferred.
The cuttings are planted at a slanting position at
one side of the ridges with one node buried in the
soil .
15. 6. Water Management
Immediately after planting, give life irrigation on
the third day and thereafter once in 10 days.
Sewage or waste water can also be used for
irrigation.
16. drainage
The field should be provided with good drainage
during the rainy season as the crop cannot stand
water stagnation.
Vegetative growth is reduced to dormant during
winter.
20. 9. Top Dressing
After each harvest apply 100 kg N/ha (wherever
Nitrate problem is more reduce the N application)
21. Quartering
Quartering has to be done every year or
whenever the clumps become unwieldy and large
(each clump will form into big stools in two years.
It is then split into four quarters and three of them
are removed. This operation is known as
quartering.
22. Few important points to be remembered:
Soil reclamation with lime is essential in acidic
soils.
While planting, the soil around the cutting has to
be pressed tightly for good root growth.
The grass must be cut at ground level for good
tillering of the clumps.
Economically viable for 3 years.
