NAPIER × BAJRA HYBRID (NB hybrid)

Introduction

·       It Is An Inter-Specific Hybrid Between Bajra And Napier Grass And Combines High Quality And Faster Growth Of Bajra With The Deep Root System And Multicient Habit Of Napier Grass. It Is Widely Distributed In Sub-Tropical Regions Of Asia, Africa, Southern Europe And America. In India, It Is Mainly Cultivated In Punjab, Haryana, UP, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Gujrat, West Bengal, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala And Tamil Nadu.

·       The Grass Grows Throughout The Year In The Tropics. The Optimum Temperature Is About 31°C. Light Showers Alternated With Bright Sunshine Are Very Congenial To The Crop. Total Water Requirement Of The Grass Is About 800–1000 Mm. It Can Grow On A Variety Of Soils. Light Loams And Sandy Soils Are Preferred To Heavy Soils. The Grass Does Not Thrive Well On Waterlogged And Flood Prone Lands. Phenomenal Yields Are Obtained From Very Deep Fertile Soil Rich In Organic Matter. It Tolerates Ph Ranging From 5 To 8. Hybrid Napier Is Superior In Quality To Napier Grass And Contains About 10.2% Crude Protein And 30.5% Crude Fiber. The Leaves Are Large And Green, The Sheaths Are Softer And The Margins Less Serrated And Hence The Herbage Is Palatable. It Is Juicer And Succulent At All Stages Of Growth. It Is Less Fibrous And More Acceptable. The Oxalate Content Of Some Of The Varieties May Be High. It Can Be Mitigated If Harvested At Longer Intervals (45 To 60 Days). It Can Withstand Drought For A Short Spell And Regenerates With Rains But Is Susceptible To Frost.

·       The Hybrid Once Planted Supplies Fodder Continuously And Regularly For A Period Of Three Years. The Cost Of Production Is Almost Half That Of Single-Cut Crops. The Production Per Unit Area And Time Is Approximately Double Than Conventional Fodders. Hybrid Napier Is A Triploid Grass, So Does Not Produce Any Seeds. It Produces High Number Of Tillers And Numerous Leaves. It Grows Fast And Produces High Herbage But The Stems Are Hard And The Plants Less Persistent.