Elephant grass, also known as Napier grass or Uganda grass, is a fast-growing plant that is cultivated as livestock fodder in many tropical and subtropical regions. This tall, coarse grass can grow over 3 meters in height and is known for its high yields and nutritional value. Elephant grass has many uses, most notably as a forage and fodder crop for livestock.
Uses of Elephant Grass
Livestock Fodder
The primary use of elephant grass is as livestock fodder. All parts of the elephant grass plant can be used as animal feed, including the stems, leaves and trunk. Elephant grass is palatable and nutritious forage for cattle, goats, sheep and other ruminants. It is high in protein, energy and minerals. The grass can be grazed directly in the field when it is young and succulent. More mature stands are cut and carried to livestock as cut forage. Elephant grass is also often chopped, dried and baled as hay to feed animals when fresh forage is unavailable.
Compared to other forage grasses, elephant grass produces very high yields per hectare, up to 40 tons of dry matter per year. It also regrows quickly after being cut, allowing for frequent harvests. These high yields and the grass’ nutritional qualities make it an excellent fodder crop for livestock farmers.
Soil Improvement
Elephant grass can play a role in enriching and protecting soil. Its extensive root system helps to bind the soil, prevent erosion and suppress weeds. Elephant grass also increases soil organic matter as it produces abundant biomass both above and below ground. The plant drops leaves and stems which decompose to form humus. Nitrogen fixation by symbiotic bacteria associated with elephant grass roots also enhances soil fertility.
Energy Production
The high dry matter yields and fast regrowth of elephant grass make it a potential biofuel crop. Elephant grass can be harvested frequently and converted into energy through direct combustion, gasification or anaerobic digestion to produce heat, electricity or biogas. Its use as an energy crop is still fairly limited, but holds promise especially in tropical regions where it thrives. More research is needed to develop efficient systems for converting elephant grass biomass into usable bioenergy.
Pulp and Paper
The fiber from elephant grass stems can be used to make pulp and paper products. This is an alternative to using wood pulp. Elephant grass pulp yields are high and the fiber is long and strong. However, extensive processing is required to break down and bleach the fibrous pulp. Commercial production is not widespread, but elephant grass shows potential as a pulp source, particularly in areas where timber resources are limited.
Building and Construction Materials
Various parts of the elephant grass plant can be incorporated into building materials. The stems may be used like bamboo or wood to make walls, flooring, fencing and furniture. Elephant grass is also made into particle boards and fiber boards. The leaves are sometimes used for thatched roofs or woven mats. Using elephant grass in these ways provides local, renewable resources for construction while also creating value-added products from the plant.
Handicrafts
The stems and leaves of elephant grass are used to make baskets, mats, hats and other handicrafts. Elephant grass handicrafts provide income opportunities in many rural areas. The material is readily available and versatile to work with. Products may be made for local use or sold to wider domestic and international markets. Crafting also adds value to elephant grass as a crop rather than just using it for basic livestock feed.
Ornamental Uses
Elephant grass is planted as an ornamental and hedge plant in some locations. Its attractive tall, swaying stems and foliage can provide a dramatic vertical accent and tropical look. However, elephant grass can be aggressive and difficult to control when it escapes cultivation. It is considered an invasive weed in some regions. Careful management is required when planting elephant grass ornamentally to prevent unwanted spread.
Erosion Control
Dense stands of elephant grass are useful for controlling soil erosion. The extensive, deep root system binds the soil while the tall, closely spaced stems protect the soil surface from rain impacts and runoff. Planting elephant grass as buffer strips along contours is an effective conservation practice on slopes and erodible soils. It also works well for stabilizing stream banks, waterways and drainage ditches.
Phytoremediation
Elephant grass may have application in removing or immobilizing contaminants in soils and water. It can bioaccumulate heavy metals in its tissues. Researchers are studying its use for cleaning up pollution from mining, industry and agriculture. Using elephant grass to absorb toxins is an emerging phytoremediation strategy, but more field testing is needed to verify its viability for this purpose.
Cultivation of Elephant Grass
To take full advantage of elephant grass’ many uses, proper cultivation is important.
Climate and Soil Requirements
Elephant grass thrives in warm tropical and subtropical climates with ample moisture. It needs year-round growing temperatures above 20°C and annual rainfall over 900 mm. Elephant grass will tolerate drier conditions but lacks winter hardiness below 5°C.
Elephant grass grows on a wide range of soils but prefers fertile, well-drained loams. It is not well-suited to heavy clays or very sandy soils with poor water and nutrient retention. Optimum soil pH is 5.5-7.5. Elephant grass will tolerate acidic soils but grows best in near neutral pH conditions.
Propagation
Elephant grass is commonly grown from cuttings or planted stem sections containing 2-3 nodes. Cuttings root readily under warm, moist conditions. Once established, stands are perpetuated vegetatively as cut stems and regrowth from the base continue to produce new shoots.
Elephant grass can also be grown from seed but seedling establishment is slower. Seed should be planted 1 cm deep at a high rate as germination rates are variable.
Field Establishment
Elephant grass is planted in the field on a prepared seedbed at close spacings of 0.5-1 m between plants in rows 1-2 m apart. Wider in-row spacing up to 2 m is used in drier areas. Closer plant spacing favors shoot production while wider spacing increases root and stem growth.
Newly planted fields require adequate moisture and weed control the first 2-3 months until the elephant grass is well established. Applying organic manure or a starter fertilizer at planting can accelerate growth. Once established, elephant grass forms a dense stand that suppresses weed growth.
Fertilization
High yields and frequent cutting remove substantial nutrients from the soil. Fertilizing established stands with nitrogen and potassium is recommended, especially when harvested intensively. Typical application rates are 60-150 kg/ha N and 60-100 kg/ha K2O split between 3-6 applications per year.
Using animal manure provides organic fertilization. Mulching cut leaves and tops back into the field helps recycle nutrients.
Watering
Elephant grass requires abundant moisture for maximum production. With adequate rainfall or irrigation, yields are much higher compared to relying solely on natural precipitation. During dry periods, elephant grass will become dormant but will resume growth quickly once sufficient soil moisture returns.
Harvesting
The first harvest of elephant grass is usually made 6-8 months after planting to allow full establishment. Subsequent harvest intervals depend on local conditions and use, but are generally every 6-8 weeks. Harvesting at the late vegetative to early flowering stage provides the optimum balance of yield and nutrition.
Fields are cut by hand or with machine harvesters. Cutting height is typically 0.5-1 m high to allow rapid regrowth. Lower cutting weakens the stand over time. Leaving taller stubble in drier areas reduces moisture stress.
For loosely bundled fresh forage, harvesters may be used to cut and collect the material in the same operation. For denser forage or hay, elephant grass is cut, allowed to wilt for 1-2 days, then raked and baled.
Pest and Diseases
Elephant grass is relatively resistant to most insects and diseases. However, some important potential problems include:
- Smut – Fungal disease causing elongated black galls. Affects yield and palatability.
- Rust – Foliar fungus causing small brown pustules on leaves.
- Spider mites – Suck juices from leaves during dry weather. Cause yellow spotting.
- Sugarcane aphid – Sucks sap and excretes sticky honeydew. Stunts growth.
- Rodents and rabbits – Feed on young shoots and can injure stand.
Good cultural practices and field sanitation will prevent most serious outbreaks. Pesticides may be warranted for heavy infestations. Resistant varieties are available for some biotic problems.
Elephant Grass versus Maize Forage
Elephant grass and maize (corn) are two major forage crops grown for livestock feed in tropical regions. How do they compare?
| Elephant Grass | Maize | |
|---|---|---|
| Yield per hectare | Very high (up to 40 tons DM/year) | Moderate (average 10-15 tons DM/year) |
| Production costs | Low | Moderate |
| Harvesting | Frequent cuttings | Single grain harvest |
| Persistence | Perennial – long stand life | Annual – yearly planting required |
| Drought tolerance | Moderate | Poor |
| Nutritive value | High protein when vegetative | Higher energy |
| Anti-nutritional factors | Low | Potential mycotoxins |
| Forage use | Grazing, cut-and-carry, hay | Silage |
In summary, elephant grass provides very high biomass yields per hectare at low production cost. It persists for many years with proper management. Elephant grass combines well with maize silage in a forage system, offering energy-rich annual feed along with high protein perennial fodder.
Conclusion
Elephant grass is a valuable multipurpose crop throughout the tropics. It has many uses that can benefit livestock farmers, small landholders and local communities. Forage production for stall-fed livestock is the most widespread use. But elephant grass also has emerging industrial applications as energy, construction and craft material. With proper management, elephant grass is an excellent grass for enhancing livelihoods and economic opportunities in tropical regions.
