CO-1: The variety is a derivative of the cross PI 2787 (Bajra × Pennisetum purpureum (Merkeson) and developed at TNAU, Coimbatore and recommended for cultivation in south zone of the country. It is a drought tolerant, high yielding variety. It has plant height of 232 cm, non-lodging, profuse tillering (26 tillers/culm), highly leafy (354 leaves/culm), high leaf stem ratio (0.94) and black purple ear head. The average green fodder yield is 300 t/ha. (CVRC-Notification no. 596(E) dated 13th August 1984). Hybrid Napier-3 (Swetika): This was developed at IGFRI, Jhansi by hybridization of Napier grass and Bajra (PSB-2). The variety was notified for cultivation in north and central zone of the country. This is profuse tillering type, erect with narrow upright leaves with quick regeneration ability and have thin stem like Guinea grass. It is tolerant to frost and low temperature and is suitable for low pH, and have field resistance to Helminthosporium blight. It gives 70–80 t/ha green fodder and 18 t/ha dry fodder. (CVRC-Notification no. 499(E) dated 8th July 1983).
CO-2: The variety was developed at TNAU, Coimbatore through interspecific cross between Bajra-PT 8369 and Napier-FD 488 followed by clonal selection. It has been recommended for cultivation in south zone of the country. It provides 350 t/ha of green fodder.
CO-3: The variety was developed at TNAU, Coimbatore and recommended for cultivation in south zone of the country under irrigated condition. It flowers late in the season and have dark green leaves. The variety has high leaf stem ratio making it highly palatable for animals. The variety produces 35–40 t/ha green fodder yield. (CVRCNotification no. 622(E) dated 17th September 1997).
PBN-83: The variety was developed by PAU, Ludhiana from cross between Bajra selection-1 × N-3 (Napier) and released for cultivation in Punjab. (CVRC-Notification no. 280(E) dated 13th April 1989).
Yashwant (RBN-9): This variety was developed by MPKV, Rahuri by interspecific hybridization of Giant Bajra and napier grass and recommended for cultivation in irrigated areas of Maharashtra. It has low oxalic acid content (2.46%) and high crude protein content (10.15%). It produces 150 t/ha green fodder. (CVRC-Notification no. 915(E) dated 6th November 1989).
IGFRI-5: It is suitable for cultivation in areas of sub-mountain and low hill sub-tropical zone of H.P., which are below 800 m under rainfed and irrigated conditions and fertile as well as marginal lands. It is very vigorous and tall growing with thin tillers, erect growth habit, very leafy (14–15 leaves/tiller), glaborous nodes and soft stems upto full growth. It is ready for harvest after 60 days of transplanting. It gives fresh fodder and dry matter yield of 114 t/ha and 37 t/ha respectively. On an average, it contains 6.35% crude protein and 2.8% oxalate. 3–4 cuttings can be obtained under rainfed conditions.
NB-21: It was developed by PAU, Ludhiana and released for all India cultivation. It is a fast growing variety with high tillering capacity. Stems are thin and non-hairy with long, smooth and narrow leaves. Oxalic acid content is comparatively less than other varieties.
NB-37: It is dwarf hybrid suitable for sub-tropic pastures. It is drought tolerant and has low oxalates (2–3%) and high crude protein (9-10%). The variety was released in 1994 for cultivation in sub-tropical grasslands and wastelands in zone I & II of Himachal Pradesh. It produces 35–40 t/ha of green fodder.
PBN 233: The variety was developed by PAU, Ludhiana by hybridization of Bajra comp. 1 × N-23 (Napier) and released for cultivation in Punjab in 1999. The hybrid produces 375 t/ha green fodder in seven cuttings in a year. It regularly supplies fodder throughout the year, except during its short dormancy in December. PBN 233, unlike NB 21 and PBN 83, is photosensitive and flowers only in winter. Due to this characteristic, it remains in the vegetative stage throughout the year, except in winter, when it is dormant. The continuity of its vegetative stage provides succulent, palatable and highly digestible fodder on cutting at the right stage.
KKM-1: The variety was developed through interspecific hybridization of Bajra-IP15507 and Napier FD 429 followed by clonal selection at TNAU, Coimbatore. The variety is released for cultivation in Tamil Nadu in 1999. It is leafy, high tillering and is specially suitable for southern districts of Tamil Nadu. It produces 250 t/ha green fodder.
APBN-1: The variety was developed by ANGRAU, Hyderabad through hybridization [IPM-121 59 (Nigeria) and elephant grass like Kasate 52440]. The variety was recommended for cultivation in whole Gujarat. The plants are 70 cm tall with 50 tillers/plant and leaf stem ratio 13.62. The foliage is dark green and production is 200 t/ha.
Suguna: The variety was developed by KAU, Vellayani in 2006 and is a derivative of cross between Composite 9 × FD 431. It is a semi-perennial, multicut and yields 260 t/ha/ year green fodder yield. The variety is recommended for cultivation in southern districts of Kerala state.
Supriya: The variety was developed by KAU, Vellayani in 2006 and is a developed through inter specific hybridization of TNSC 4 × FD 471 followed by clonal selection. The variety is recommended for cultivation in southern districts of Kerala state and yields 270 t/ha green fodder.
Sampoorna (DHN 6): This variety was developed by RRS, Dharwad of IGFRI, Jhansi through interspecific hybridization of IPM 14188 (Bajra line) × FD 184 (Napier line ) followed by clonal selection. The variety is recommended for cultivation in Karnataka state under irrigated conditions. The variety has low oxalic acid content (1.9%) and yields 120–150 t/ha green fodder in 6–8 cuts. (CVRC- Notification no. 449 (E) 11th February 2009).
