Cumbu Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum x Pennisetum glaucum)cross between Napier grass and fodder pearl millet, it is a high-yield fodder crop that is also fast growing. The plants don’t need much space to grow, and they can be harvested year-round multiple times. Unlike other forms of cattle feed, farmers who plant superior Napier grass hybrids won’t have to keep buying concentrate feeds, which can harm their profits. Cumbu Napier grass is also known to increase milk production in lactating cattle, and help goats and sheep grow. Napier grass has large, juicy, and tasty leaves that animals love to eat. Unlike many other plants that can be used as feed for camels, Napier grasses do not erode the soil.It can be cultivated on bunds and along water channels. Crude protein ranges from 8-11% and the immature crop contains Oxalates as toxin.

Climate: It can be grown year-round, even in winter. The plants do best in the tropics, where the ideal temperature is around 31 degrees Celsius. When appropriately watered, the plants will produce high yields. Ideally, plants should be grown in an area with light showers and lots of bright sunshine. Napier grass does not like water-logged fields. Water requirements for cumbe napier grass is about 800 to 1000 mm.

Soil requirement: Cumbu napier grass requires very fertile, well drained sandy loamy soils having pH range of 5.5 to 8.5.  The crop grows best on alluvial or red soils but can also by grown on well drained black soils.

Variety: CO-4, CO-5

Seed rate: Requires 33,333 two-eye budded stem cuttings or root slips are planted at 60 cm × 50 cm distance per hectare at the start of the monsoon if there is no irrigation available.  And can be planted throughout the year under irrigated conditions. Cuttings must be planted at a slant on the side of the ridge, and one node should be placed below the soil. The earth around the stems should be packed tightly so the roots can become well established.

Spacing: 60 x 50 cm

Manure and Fertilizer requirement : 25 tonnes of farm yard manure can be applied before ridges are formed for plantings. It’s best to make ridges across a slope with spacing of 60 cm wide and ridges at the height of 25 cm. In this way, irrigation can be more uniform. About 33333 cuttings can be planted per hectare. In addition to it apply 75 kg nitrogen, 50 phosphorus and 40 kg potash to be apply at before sowing as basal dose. Another 75 kg of nitrogen will be applied as top dressing on 30 days after planting. Then 75 kg of nitrogen will be applied for subsequent cutting.The first weeding will take place about 30 days after planting and fertilizer can be applied at this time.

Irrigation:Every 15 days during the rainy season and every 7-10 days during the summer.

Harvest:First cutting after 60-75 days and subsequent cuttings after 45-60 days & 350 -400 ton of green fodder yield annually from 6-8 cuttings.