Presentation on Emperor Grass by Prof. Dr. G.

Kumaravelu
(Dec 2012)

5 MONTHS OLD Napier Bajra hybrid Co4

Emperor Grass (Cumbu Napier Hybrid) = Napier Elephant grass of Africa x Kambu (Bajra) India Triploid Sterile Hybrid F1 F2 (Non viable) Therefore, propagation only through sibs (cuttings)

From 1954, every year, repeatedly the crossing is made and progeny evaluated. NBCO4 Evolved by TNAU during 2008

5 MONTHS OLD CROP

HARVESTING OF 5 MONTHS OLD CROP

HARVESTING OF 5 MONTHS OLD CROP

28 09 / 2011) Weighment of 5 months old crop tested by the author Dr. GK (28 / / 09 / 2011

Highest Yield 400 to 800 MT / ha / year (green)

Data recorded by Dr. GK. on 28 / 09 / 2011

5 months old crop 640 MT / ha (green)

Sample No.

No. of Culms

Stem Wt in Kg Leaf Wt in Kg Total Biomass in Kg

1 2 3 Average

19 19 17 18

14.20 14.00 12.50 13.50

3.50 3.00 3.00 3.15

17.50 17.00 15.00 16.65

TOTAL BIOMASS PER HA 640 GREEN MT (5 to 6 months first ratoon crop)

5 MONTHS OLD SECOND RATOON CROP

2nd Ratoon crop weight After 5 months (22 / 02 / 2012) 1160 MT / ha (green)

TOTAL BIOMASS
First Ratoon Crop 640 green MT / ha (80% moisture) Second Ratoon Crop 770 green MT / ha (80% moisture)
(This data is collected from minimum size sample plots of less than 20 cents only. Therefore this should be taken only as an indicator of high yielding nature of this hybrid grass. It is suggested that a field sample trial maybe carried out by the users for one harvest upto 5 to 6 months to evaluate its yield potential for that particular soil and management status.

Average Sugarcane yield in Tamilnadu 40 Ton / acre 27% is the weight of the bagasse (50% moisture) The yield of bagasse is about 11 tons per acre Highest yield in sugarcane is 100 Tons / acre Even in this the yield of bagasse will be 27 Tons / acre On an average, safely, we may presume its potential as following Emperor Grass can yield a minimum of 160 Green Tons / acre / year @ 50% moisture it yields 80 Tons / acre / year Emperor Grass can yield a maximum of 250 Green Tons / acre / year @ 50% moisture it yields 125 Tons / acre / year

Applications of Emperor Grass

Electric power production Briquettes for substitution of coal, lignite in Thermal Power Plants and Industrial, Commercial heating systems Biogas production Cellulosic Ethanol / Butanol Probably paper pulp Bio chemicals and Bio plastics Bio oil / Biodiesel

Gross Calorific Value 4038 Kcal / kg

Direct Combustion in Biomass Power Plant

Similar to bagasse used in Sugar Mills to produce electricity under cogeneration mode, the biomass from this grass can also be used. We have tested it to have similar calorific value like bagasse.

DRYING OF EMPEROR GRASS

MEASURING THE LENGTH OF EMPEROR GRASS

BRIQUETTING OF EMPEROR GRASS IN PROGRESS

EMPEROR GRASS BRIQUETTES GROSS CALORIFIC VALUE 4284 Kcal

Gross Calorific Value Briquettes 4284 Kcal / kg

MAINLY USED AS FODDER FOR MILCHING COWS

Cows like it because of its sweetness. Note the houseflies on the fresh cut stems indicating more sweetness (sugars).

ONE ACRE DEMO PLOT AT CHENNAMPATTI, ERODE (22 DAYS OLD)

ONE ACRE DEMO PLOT AT CHENNAMPATTI, ERODE (22 DAYS OLD)

ONE ACRE DEMO PLOT AT CHENNAMPATTI, ERODE (2 MONTHS OLD)

ONE ACRE DEMO PLOT AT CHENNAMPATTI, ERODE (2 MONTHS OLD)

ONE ACRE DEMO PLOT AT CHENNAMPATTI, ERODE (4.5 MONTHS OLD)

ONE ACRE DEMO PLOT AT CHENNAMPATTI, ERODE (4.5 MONTHS OLD)

HARVESTING IN PROGRESS USING BRUSH CUTTER

CUTTINGS LOADED FOR PLANTING IN ANOTHER LOCATION

ONE MONTH OLD SECOND RATOON CROP

ONE MONTH OLD SECOND RATOON CROP

NEW VARIETY (PINK COLOR) NB GRASS 3 MONTHS OLD

NEW VARIETY (PINK COLOR) NB GRASS 3 MONTHS OLD

NEW VARIETY (PINK COLOR) NB GRASS 3 MONTHS OLD