Napier grass - Pennisetum purpureum

Description and Uses

Pennisetum purpureum (Napier grass) is a tropical grass from East Africa. It is mainly grown for its fodder crops (short shelflife), but also Other uses include; fertilization, fodder, mulch and repellent pesticide can be produced. The crop is harvested by pruning. It starts flowering after 3 - 4 years. The first yield will be 20 tonnen/acre but in its top season there will be a yield of 40 tonnes/acre. The root is edible. Medical uses include; it is medically used as anti-arthritic activity. The shoot contains proteins (8.00% - 8.40%). There is napier grass oil extracted by steam distillation from the grass`s fresh leaf yielding 1.8 - 2% oil. The grass`s wood is called n/a and has a density of 450 - 600 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the grass`s growing speed is very fast, its energetic value is 4209 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is slow; for firewood production it is not ideal. After 1 years the grass can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Pennisetum purpureum has a lifespan of 10 years.

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Environmental limitations

The grass is 7 meters tall. It is very fast growing and tolerates not less light than full sun. Pennisetum purpureum has a shallow root-system and forms symbiotic relations it has symbiotic associations with the Glomus intraradices fungus. (endo-mycorrhiza high). It is able to fix nitrogen with Rhizobiaceae bacteria. The grass`s flower-morphology is monoecious and is pollinated by wind. Pennisetum purpureum is evergreen and not allelopathic and has no thorns.

Pennisetum purpureum thrives in an altitude of 10 to 2000 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is 2°C and optimally between 25 - 40°C. The optimal rainfall is 1500 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 750 - 1500 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 5.0 - 8.0 in a soil texture of loam. To salt it is a bit tolerant to wind tolerant and to fire tolerant.

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Pests and Diseases

Aphelenchus avenae,Busseola fusca and Napier grass stunt,Smut diseases.

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Seed Propagation

Seeds are epigeous and can be stored for 7 months. There are approximative 3000000 seeds/kg. The seeds can be propagated as followed: (1) Store harvested seeds dry at room temperature, (1) Store harvested seeds moisty at a chilling temperature of 3-7 degrees C for 1-2 months, (3) Remove the seeds from cold to a permanent warm temperature.

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