Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) versus Sugarcane (Sacharum oficinarum) as Forage Crops in Puerto Rico

Abstract

An experiment was carried out to test the forage productivity of the tops of a sugarcane variety, P.R. 1010, as compared with Napier grass (Merker). Two cutting intervals were followed, 60- and 90-day. Sixty days is the average interval recommended for Napier. Napier grass outyielded sugarcane significantly at the 1-percent level. It is faster growing, being about 5 feet tall at 40 to 50 days after cutting, whereas sugarcane was only l 1/2 feet tall at that same age. This Station does not recommend planting sugarcane for forage when farmers can make much better use of the land with Napier. Farmers having old sugarcane plantations can use the tops as forage for their cows, but they should use Napier grass for new plantings.