Production, characterization and nutritional quality of Napier grass [Pennisetum purpureum (Schum.)] cultivars in Western Kenya

Abstract

Napier grass [Pennisetum purpureum (Schum.)] is the most popular perennial fodder recommended for 
smallholder crop-livestock farming systems in Kenya, where 80% of the national milk output is 
produced. The emergence of new diseases resulting in DM yield losses signals the need to develop 
alternatives to currently grown cultivars. Eight new cultivars (Kakamega 1, Kakamega 3, Machakos 
hairless, Uganda L14, Soghor Nandi L13, Kitui L7, Ex-Mariakani and Kakamega 8) were compared to 
four currently grown cultivars (Bana, French Cameroon, Clone 13 and Pakistan Hybrid) in the sub
humid highlands of northwestern Kenya for two growing seasons. Agronomic measurements were 
made on DM yield, tiller number, length, diameter and angle, leaf length, width, hairiness and colour and 
disease incidence. Nutritional measurements were made on leaf to stem ratio, intake, milk yields and 
body condition of Friesian cows. Kakamega 1, and Kakamega 3 yielded similar (p > 0.05) DM yield as 
Clone 13, Bana and French Cameroon, which yielded more than 16 t ha-1 and greater (p < 0.05) than 
soghor Nandi L13, Kitui L7, Ex-Mariakani, Kakamega 8 and Pakistan hybrid. The tallest cultivars were 
Kakamega 1, Clone 13, and Kakamega 3 with 70, 69 and 61 cm, respectively. There was positive 
correlation (r = 0.65; p < 0.001) between tiller thickness and tiller length. There were no differences (p > 
0.05) in DM intake between Bana, Kakamega 1, Kakamega 3 and Machakos hairless. Cows feeding on 
Kakamega 3 and Kakamega 1 Napier grass cultivars yielded similar (p > 0.05) milk as those fed Bana 
grass, but more (p < 0.05) than those fed Machackos hairless. Kakamega 1 and Kakamega 3 could be 
used as alternatives to the currently grown Bana grass in Kenya.