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Napier grass
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Napier grass

Cenchrus purpureus (syn. Pennisetum purpureum)
Family: Poaceae
Typical yield 80.0 t/ha
Varieties 1
Pest/Disease 1

Profile

Growth habit
perennial
Lifecycle (days)
120-365+
Primary uses
Forage (cut-and-carry)
Pollination
wind
Origin / distribution
Africa; tropics

Environment

Climate

Temp optimal
20–30 °C
Rain optimal
1000–2000 mm/yr
Altitude
0–2000 m

Soil

pH optimal
5.5–6.8
Soil type
Fertile loams; tolerates many soils

Farmer Guide

Row spacing
100 cm
Plant spacing
50 cm
Depth
5 cm
Seed rate
kg/ha
Nursery days
Planting: Plant canes/splits; harvest every 6–8 weeks at 1–1.5 m height.

Nutrient Schedule

#StageDAPProductRateTargets (kg/ha)Notes
1 Establishment 0 NPK 17-17-17 150 kg/ha N: —, P₂O₅: —, K₂O: —
2 After first cut 60 Urea 100 kg/ha N: —, P₂O₅: —, K₂O: —

Nutrient Requirements

NutrientStageAmountUnit
N Basal 60 kg/ha
P₂O₅ Basal 40 kg/ha
K₂O Basal 60 kg/ha
N Topdress 60 kg/ha
K₂O Topdress 40 kg/ha

Images

Napier grass
Name Country Maturity Traits
Kakamega 1 KE 180 High biomass; disease tolerant
No fertilizer recommendations yet.
Name Type Symptoms Management
Napier stunt disease Stunting; yellowing Rogue infected clumps; clean planting material
System Typical Min Max Notes
cut-and-carry 80 40 120 Fresh biomass/year
No season calendars yet.
Country Region Suitability
KE Dairy belts High