Plant characteristics

• Plant Type: Perennial, high-yielding hybrid fodder grass.

• Growth Habit: Fast-growing, clump-forming with profuse tillering.

• Plant Height: Grows about 3–4 meters (10–13 ft) under good management.

• Tillering (Branching): Produces 20–40 tillers per clump, forming dense bunches.

Leaf characteristics

• Leaf colour: Dark green.

• Leaf type: Long, linear leaves with prominent midrib.

• Leaf size: Broad and long leaves (up to 60–90 cm length).

• Leaf shape: Narrow, lance-shaped leaves arranged alternately.

• Leaves are soft, juicy, and highly palatable, suitable for green fodder and silage.

Stem characteristics

• Stem colour: Light green to pale yellow.

• Stem type: Thick, succulent, cane-like stems (similar to sugarcane).

• Stem thickness: About 1.5–3 cm diameter.

• Stems are juicy and rich in fiber, contributing to high biomass.

Fodder (Harvest) characteristics

• Fodder colour: Fresh green.

• Fodder type: High biomass green fodder.

• First harvest: 60–75 days after planting.

• Subsequent harvests: Every 40–50 days.

• Harvest height: Best cut at 1–1.5 meters for quality fodder.

• Suitable for green feeding and silage making.

Other characteristics

• Average yield: About 250–350 tons per hectare per year (100–140 tons per acre).

• Lifespan: Productive for 4–5 years under proper management.

• Propagation: Through stem cuttings/slips (2–3 nodes).

• Water requirement: Requires regular irrigation for maximum yield.

• Nutritional value: Contains 8–12% crude protein, good for dairy animals.

• Suitability: Ideal for cows, buffaloes, goats, improves milk production.

• Recommended Season: Year-round planting under irrigation; best during February–March and June–July.