Publication Date
1989
Description
Elephantgrass or napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) is a long-lived, tall perennial warm-season bunch grass. Under subtropical conditions where cool season temperatures to not drop below - 4 °C, elephantgrass will normally out yield Saccharum spp. with less winter kill and greater persistence under annual harvesting. Alexander (1985) in Puerto Rico indicated elephantgrass out yielded energycane when cut at 6-mo intervals, but was inferior to sugarcane when cut once annually. Calhoun and Prine (1985) and Capiel and Ashcraft (1972) indicated shoot yields increased as the length of harvest interval increased. Cutting elephantgrass at 6 wk intervals yielded only 20 t/ha DM compared with 40 t/ha at the 24 wk harvest interval. When high quality biomass is required shorter intervals between harvest will be necessary. The purpose of this study was to monitor elephantgrass quality changes of green and dead leaves and stem components when harvested at four physiological stages of growth following several levels of fertilizer and applications.
Citation
Mislevy, P; Martin, F G.; and Adjei, M B., "Changes in Elephantgrass Plant Components with Maturity II. Crude Protein and Digestibility" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 43.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session7/43
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Changes in Elephantgrass Plant Components with Maturity II. Crude Protein and Digestibility
Elephantgrass or napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) is a long-lived, tall perennial warm-season bunch grass. Under subtropical conditions where cool season temperatures to not drop below - 4 °C, elephantgrass will normally out yield Saccharum spp. with less winter kill and greater persistence under annual harvesting. Alexander (1985) in Puerto Rico indicated elephantgrass out yielded energycane when cut at 6-mo intervals, but was inferior to sugarcane when cut once annually. Calhoun and Prine (1985) and Capiel and Ashcraft (1972) indicated shoot yields increased as the length of harvest interval increased. Cutting elephantgrass at 6 wk intervals yielded only 20 t/ha DM compared with 40 t/ha at the 24 wk harvest interval. When high quality biomass is required shorter intervals between harvest will be necessary. The purpose of this study was to monitor elephantgrass quality changes of green and dead leaves and stem components when harvested at four physiological stages of growth following several levels of fertilizer and applications.
