YIELD, NUTRITIVE VALUE AND FERMENTATION CHARACTERISTICS OF PAKCHONG-1 (PENNISETUM PURPUREUM PENNISETUM GLAUCUM) IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

Two experiments were undertaken for the very first time in Sri Lanka using Pakchong-1 (Pennisetum purpureum × Pennisetum glaucum), a newly introduced hybrid Napier grass; (Experiment 1) Effect of three cutting frequencies namely, 45, 55 and 65 days on growth parameters, herbage yield and quality of Pakchong-1 compared to Hybrid Napier Coimbatoor-4 (CO-4) (Pennisetum glaucum × Pennisetum purpureum) in mid-country wet zone of Sri Lanka; (Experiment 2) Effect of different cutting frequencies on fermentation characteristics of Pakchong-1 compared to CO-4. According to Experiment 1, the height of Pakchong-1 was higher (P<0.05) compared to CO-4 at 6 weeks of age. Among the three cutting frequencies, 65 days has shown a higher (P<0.05) fresh matter and dry matter yields while the highest (P<0.05) crude protein percentage was recorded in the 45 days cutting frequency for Pakchong-1 compared to other treatments. Nitrogen free extract of Pakchong-1 has shown an increasing (P<0.05) trend with maturity. Pakchong-1, harvested at 45 days has shown the highest (P<0.05) in vitro organic matter digestibility compared to other treatments. According to Experiment 2, physical and chemical characteristics of the silage produced from Pakchong-1 at different cutting frequencies are at the satisfactory levels of quality silage. Pakchong-1, harvested at 55 days has shown intermediate quality and good fermentation characteristics. Thus, it can be concluded, Pakchong-1 can be harvested at 55 days cutting frequency for both purposes; feeding livestock and silage preparation.