Super Hybrid Napier Grass-Pakchong

By Susan Wanjiru

The Super Napier grass also known as Pakchong or Hybrid Napier is an interspecific hybrid of two species native to Southeast Asia. It was first developed in Thailand in the late 1960s by culturing the tissue of the pearl buckwheat tree with the African Napier grass. The resulting hybrid has a number of advantages over its parent species, including higher yields, better resistance to pests and diseases, and greater tolerance of drought and flooding. The origin of Super Napier is attributed to the efforts of Thai researchers who were looking for ways to increase food production in the region. This hybrid has since become widely used as a fodder crop in many parts of the world.

Characteristics

The Super Napier grass is a highly productive grass with a long leaf length of 6-8cm, capable of producing up to 20 tons of dry matter per hectare which can be harvested 7-8 times a year. Once planted, the grass can provide high yield for 7-8 years continuously with a harvest of 180-200 metric tons of green succulent grass per acre annually. The yield is twice that of ordinary Napier grass. The Super Napier grass is resistant to pests and diseases. The grass is also very palatable to livestock, making it an ideal choice for animal feed. In addition, this hybrid grass is more tolerant of both drought and flooding than either of its parent species, making it well suited for cultivation in areas prone to extreme weather conditions.

Nutritional benefits of Super Napier

Super Napier is a nutritious and healthy grass that provides many essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, and carbohydrates. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber, which helps to reduce cholesterol levels in the body. Additionally, it contains high amounts of calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and other important trace elements. It also has a good balance of essential amino acids, making it a great choice for those looking to increase their protein intake. Furthermore, it is low in fat and calories, making it a great option for those trying to lose weight.

The vitamins found in Super Napier grass include Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, E, K, and folate. These vitamins are essential for proper functioning of the body and can help to boost immunity and improve overall health. The minerals found in this grass include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc. All these minerals are important for maintaining strong bones and teeth, as well as helping to regulate blood pressure and heart rate.

Growing conditions

Soil type- Super Napier grows best in well-drained soils with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.0. It prefers full sun and warm temperatures, but can tolerate some shade. It is drought tolerant, but will produce more biomass if irrigated.

Land preparation- Before planting, the soil should be plowed and harrowed to a depth of at least 20 cm. If the soil is very dry, it should be irrigated before planting. The seedbed should be kept moist until germination occurs.

Growing from cuttings- Super Napier grass can be propagated from cuttings. Cuttings should be taken from healthy plants having been collected from 90-120 day old Napier grass with three nodes and planted directly into the soil at an angle of 45 degrees. The cuttings should be planted about 10 cm apart in rows spaced 30 cm apart, with an average of 6000-8000 cuttings required per acre. The cuttings should be watered regularly until they are established.

Harvesting and feeding

You can make your first harvest 90 days after planting. The succeeding harvests can be 45 to 60 days thereafter. The grass should be harvested when it reaches a height of 1.5 meters and the leaves have developed to full size. It is best to cut the grass with a sickle or scythe, as this will ensure that the stems are not damaged. After harvesting, the grass should be dried in the sun for two to three days before being stored in a dry place.

The grass can be fed to livestock either fresh or dried. When feeding fresh, the grass should be cut into small pieces and mixed with other feed sources such as hay, silage, or concentrates. The dried grass can be ground into a powder and added to animal feed rations. This type of grass is highly palatable and nutritious, providing high levels of protein, energy, minerals, and vitamin to livestock. For hogs, poultry, rabbits, plant-eating fish (tilapia and pangasius), and horses use, 45-day old growth, chopped or shredded. For larger ruminants like dairy cattle, beef cattle, give 60-70 day-old growth, also chopped or shredded. Shredded Napier can also be used for mixing with manure or any other substrate in vermiculture. The resulting vermicompost is said to have a high nitrogen content.

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