Napier Grass Seed – 1Kg – MGS1320

Description

Napier Grass Seed – MGS1320

 

Price: 400 Taka (1Kg Pack)

Germination Temperature (Approx.): 25°C to 35 °C

 

**Approximately 6 Kg Napier Grass seed is required to cover one Bigha of land area 

 

Germination Temperature: Napier grass seeds require a warm temperature for germination, ideally between 25°C to 35°C. Optimal germination occurs around 30°C. Temperatures below 15°C significantly slow or halt germination.

Germination Time: Germination of Napier grass seeds typically takes 8 to 12 days under optimal conditions (warm temperature, moist soil). However, seed germination can be inconsistent, and many farmers prefer vegetative propagation due to low seed viability.

Plant Height, Span, and Seed Sowing Depth

• Height: Napier grass can grow 3 to 6 feet tall, with some varieties reaching more under optimal conditions.
• Span: The plant forms robust, bamboo-like clumps with a spread of 3 to 6 feet depending on variety and growing conditions.
• Seed Sowing Depth: Seeds should be sown at a depth of 0.5 to 1 inch (1-2 cm) in well-prepared soil.

Plant Spacing: Plants should be spaced 2 to 3 feet (60-90 cm) apart within rows to allow for robust growth and ease of harvesting.

Row Spacing: Row spacing should be 2.5 to 3 feet (75-90 cm) to facilitate weeding, fertilization, and harvesting. Wider spacing (up to 6 feet) may be used in less intensive systems.

Trellis or Physical Support Requirement: Napier grass does not require trellises or physical support due to its sturdy, upright growth and robust culms. Its bamboo-like structure provides natural stability.

Seed to Harvest Time

• First Harvest: Napier grass is typically ready for the first harvest 3 to 4 months (90-120 days) after planting, when it reaches a height of 4-5 feet.
• Subsequent Harvests: After the first cut, it can be harvested every 6 to 8 weeks (42-56 days), depending on climate and management.

Seed to Bloom Time: Napier grass rarely produces viable seeds and blooms inconsistently. When it does flower, blooming occurs 4 to 6 months after planting, depending on environmental conditions. Flowering is not a primary focus due to its vegetative propagation.

Pot Size/Container Size/Bed Size

• Pot Size: For container growing, use a pot with a minimum diameter of 18 to 24 inches and a depth of at least 18 inches to accommodate the deep root system.
• Bed Size: For field cultivation, raised beds of 4 to 6 feet wide and any length are suitable, with proper drainage.

Soil Type and Ideal pH Level

• Soil Type: Napier grass thrives in well-drained, fertile soils such as loamy, clay loam, or sandy loam soils rich in organic matter. It can tolerate poor soils, including slightly saline or sandy soils, but heavy clay or waterlogged soils are unsuitable.
• Ideal pH Level: The optimal pH range is 5.5 to 7.5, with a tolerance from 4.5 to 8.2.

Daily Sunlight Requirement and Light for Germination

• Daily Sunlight: Napier grass requires full sunlight (6-8 hours daily) for optimal growth but can tolerate partial shade.
• Light for Germination: Seeds need indirect or direct sunlight during germination, with a warm, well-lit environment promoting faster sprouting.

Water Requirement and Watering Intervals

• Water Requirement:
  • Seedlings: 1-2 liters per plant every 2-3 days to keep soil moist but not waterlogged.
  • Young Plants (1-2 feet): 3-5 liters per plant every 3-4 days, depending on rainfall.
  • Mature Plants (>4 feet): 5-10 liters per plant every 5-7 days, with higher amounts in dry periods. Napier grass is drought-tolerant but yields better with regular irrigation.
• Watering Intervals: Adjust based on soil moisture and climate. Avoid waterlogging.

Essential Nutrients and Organic Fertilizers

• Essential Nutrients:
  • Nitrogen (N): 50-60% of total nutrient requirement for vigorous growth and biomass production.
  • Phosphorus (P): 20-25% for root development and energy transfer.
  • Potassium (K): 15-20% for disease resistance and water regulation.
• Organic Fertilizers Containing These Nutrients:
  • Tricho-compost: Rich in N (2-3%), P (1-2%), and K (1-1.5%).
  • Vermicompost: Contains N (1.5-2.5%), P (1-2%), and K (1-1.8%).
  • Cow-dung Compost: Provides N (0.5-1.5%), P (0.5-1%), and K (0.5-1.2%).
  • Horn Meal: High in N (10-14%) and P (1-2%).
  • Bone Meal: Rich in P (20-25%) and Ca (20-30%).
  • Neem Cake Powder: Supplies N (5-6%), P (1-1.5%), and K (1-1.2%).
  • Mustard Cake Powder: Contains N (4-5%), P (1-2%), and K (1-1.5%).
  • Oyster Shell Powder: Provides Ca (35-40%) and trace minerals.
  • Epsom Salt: Supplies Mg (10%) and S (13%).

Organic Fertilizer Application for Container-Grown Plants

• Fertilizer Blend for 18-24 inch Pot (per plant):
  • Tricho-compost: 200 g
  • Vermicompost: 200 g
  • Cow-dung Compost: 150 g
  • Horn Meal: 50 g
  • Bone Meal: 50 g
  • Neem Cake Powder: 50 g
  • Mustard Cake Powder: 50 g
  • Oyster Shell Powder: 30 g
  • Epsom Salt: 10 g
• Total Weight: 790 g per plant
• Application Interval: Apply every 30-45 days during the growing season (February-August in Bangladesh). Mix into the top 2-3 inches of soil and water thoroughly.

Chemical Fertilizer Requirement and Application Rate

• Fertilizer Type: Use NPK fertilizer with a ratio of 20-20-0 or 15-15-15.
• Application Rate:
  • Seedlings (0-1 month): 10 g per plant at planting.
  • Young Plants (1-3 months): 20 g per plant every 30 days.
  • Mature Plants (>3 months): 30 g per plant after each harvest (every 6-8 weeks).
• Method: Apply in a ring around the plant base, 6 inches from the stem, and water immediately.

Companion Plants

Napier grass is often intercropped with:

• Desmodium: Repels stemborer moths and fixes nitrogen, enhancing soil fertility.
• Maize or Sorghum: Napier acts as a trap crop to protect these crops from stemborers.
• Legumes (e.g., Cowpea, Soybean): Improve soil nitrogen content.

Leaf Taste: Young leaves and shoots are edible but primarily used as fodder. Human consumption is rare and limited to specific cultures where young shoots are used in soups or stews. Taste is mildly grassy and slightly bitter, rated 3/10 for palatability due to its fibrous texture.

Pest Types and Control

• Pests:
  • Stemborers (Busseola fusca, Chilo partellus): Larvae bore into stems, reducing yield.
  • Aphids: Suck sap, weakening plants.
  • Grasshoppers: Feed on leaves, causing defoliation.
• Chemical Control:
  • Stemborers: Apply Cypermethrin or Lambda-cyhalothrin as per label instructions.
  • Aphids: Use Imidacloprid.
  • Grasshoppers: Apply Malathion.
• Organic Control:
  • Use neem oil spray (10 ml/liter water) weekly for aphids and grasshoppers.
  • Plant Desmodium as a push crop to repel stemborers.
  • Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs for aphid control.

Disease Types and Control

• Diseases:
  • Napier Grass Stunt Disease: Caused by phytoplasma, leads to yellowing, stunted growth, and tillering. Transmitted by leafhoppers.
  • Head Smut: Fungal disease causing black spore masses on inflorescences.
  • Rust: Fungal infection causing orange pustules on leaves.
• Chemical Control:
  • Stunt Disease: No chemical cure; remove and destroy infected plants.
  • Head Smut: Apply Mancozeb at early stages.
  • Rust: Use Propiconazole as per label.
• Organic Control:
  • Stunt Disease: Use disease-free cuttings and control leafhoppers with neem oil.
  • Head Smut: Apply copper-based fungicides or sulfur dust.
  • Rust: Spray with garlic extract (50 g crushed garlic/liter water) every 7-10 days.

Identifying Mature Harvest: Napier grass is harvested when it reaches 4-5 feet (1-1.2 m) in height, typically dark green with tender leaves. Cut stems just above the ground (10-15 cm) to ensure regrowth. Overmature plants (>7 feet) have lower nutritional value due to increased fiber.

Average Crop Yield: Average yield is 1.5 to 2 kg fresh weight per square foot annually, or 45-60 tons/ha/year (180-200 tons/acre/year for Super Napier varieties). Yield depends on management, variety, and climate.

Average Lifespan: Napier grass is a perennial with a lifespan of 3 to 8 years under good management, with yields declining after 5-6 years unless rejuvenated with new cuttings.

Nutritional Value

Per 100 g fresh weight (primarily for fodder):

• Protein: 16-18% (Super Napier)
• Carbohydrates: 30-40%
• Fiber: 25-35%
• Vitamins: A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, E, K, folate
• Minerals: Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc

Benefits of Napier Grass

• Livestock Nutrition: High protein and vitamin content improve milk and meat production in cattle.
• Soil Conservation: Deep roots prevent erosion and enhance soil fertility.
• Bioenergy Potential: High biomass yield supports biofuel production, reducing fossil fuel reliance.
• Pest Management: Acts as a trap crop, protecting maize and sorghum from stemborers.
• Human Nutrition (Limited): Young shoots provide vitamins and minerals when consumed in soups.

Ideal Germination Month in Bangladesh: The ideal month for seed germination is late February to early March, when temperatures rise to 25-30°C and rainfall increases, based on Bangladesh’s weather patterns (2023-2024). Monsoon months (June-August) are also suitable but risk waterlogging.

Average Number of Seeds per Gram: Napier grass seeds are small, with approximately 1000-1500 seeds per gram, though seed production is low and viability varies.

Best Propagation Method: The most successful method is vegetative propagation using stem cuttings. Cuttings with 3-5 nodes (2 buried, 1 above ground) are planted at a 30° angle in furrows. This method ensures faster establishment and higher success than seeds.

Storage Methods for Leaves/Shoots

• Method: Young shoots for human consumption can be preserved as silage or dried. For silage, chop shoots, pack tightly in airtight containers, and ferment for 30 days. For drying, air-dry shoots in shade and store in airtight bags.
• Storage Duration: Silage lasts 6-12 months; dried shoots last 3-6 months in cool, dry conditions.

Few Specialties of Napier Grass

• High Biomass Yield: Produces up to 200 tons/acre/year, ideal for fodder and bioenergy.
• Drought Tolerance: Survives in low-water conditions due to deep roots.
• Pest Management Role: Attracts stemborers away from crops like maize in push-pull systems.

Quotes

• “Napier grass, the silent giant of the fields, feeds nations and heals the earth with its verdant embrace.”
• “In the sway of Napier’s tall blades, we find nature’s promise of abundance and resilience.”

Unknown Facts

• Napier grass was named after Colonel Napier of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in the 19th century for its potential as livestock feed.
• It can absorb heavy metals from soil, making it useful for phytoremediation.
• Super Napier hybrids yield twice as much as traditional varieties, revolutionizing fodder production in Asia.

Scientific Name and Family

• Scientific Name: Pennisetum purpureum (synonym: Cenchrus purpureus)
• Family: Poaceae

 

Ref: https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/napier-grass/infos

 

 

Disclaimer: In accordance with the universal custom of seed trade we give no warranty expressed or implied as to description, quality, productivity or any other matter of any way for the crop results beyond the purchased price especially under unsuitable season, abnormal weather, unsuitable soil and other unexpected conditions.

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