A fall, high tillering and non-lodging Cumbu-Napier hybrid grass has been developed by the scientists at the department of Agricultural Botany, Agricultural College and Research Institute (AC&RI), Killikulam in southern Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore early this year has released this high yielding fodder hybrid for commercial cultivation. Christened KKM 1 Cumbu Napier Hybrid, the fodder grass has been found to be ideally suited for cultivating in the garden land red soil areas in the Southern districts of Tamil Nadu. A derivative of a cross between inter specific cross of Cumbu IP 15507 and Pennisetum purpureum FD 429, developed through hybrid grass is highly leafy with long broad leaves. The leaves are softer when compared with those of Co 2 and Co 3 hybrids. It has very quick regeneration capacity as compared to other hybrid grasses, and much higher yield than these two. It recorded an average green fodder yield of 288 tonnes per hectare in a year over a period of four years in the trials conducted in the research station, which is 44% higher than that of Co 2 and 50% more than the yield of Co 3, according to the scientists. A tall growing grass, this hybrid has recorded high tillering (19 tillers per clump), and it is found to be non-lodging. It produced as high as 168 broad, long and soft leaves per clump. The leaves contained high amounts of calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous and vitamin Thiamine with low oxalate content when compared to Co 2 and Co 3. It accounted for higher quantities of micronutrients such as zinc and manganese. The fodder has more crude protein (9.85g per 100g dry matter) than the check varieties. Mainly propagated vegetatively through stem cuttings and root slips, the hybrid grass is maintained as a perennial crop for up to 4 years. Endowed with quick regeneration capacity, it is harvested once in 45 days. The hybrid grass is free from pests and diseases in field conditions. It is planted at a spacement of 50 cm x 50 in irrigated conditions in garden lands. About 40,000 slips will be required to cover a hectare with this hybrid grass. A nutrient dose of 50 kg nitrogen, 50 kg phosphorus and 40 kg potash is recommended per hectare as a basal dressing. Rich organic supplementation will prove to be highly rewarding. The crop is harvested for the first time when it is 60 days old. Subsequent cuttings can be had once in every 45 days. After each harvest, the crop should be topdressed with 100 kg nitrogen per hectare, according to the scientists. The fodder of this hybrid grass is highly palatable and non-toxic. |