Performance of Cumbu Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) varieties under Sodicity and neutral soil condition

Growth and yield performance of four varieties of Cumbu Napier was assessed at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam, Tamil Nadu, India during 2021. Neutral and sodic soil conditions were imposed on pot culture. Four varieties of Cumbu Napier viz., KKM 1, CO (BN) 4, CO (BN) 5 and CO (BN) 6 were considered for this study. Crop raised from single node cutting. Recommended nutrient and irrigation management practices implemented. Among the varieties, CO (BN) 6 exhibited higher growth in terms of plant height, leaf length, leaf width, stem girth, number of tillers, and number of leaves followed by CO (BN) 5, KKM 1, and CO (CN) 4 under sodic soil condition. The experimental results confirmed that growth of Cumbu Napier grass was slower under alkaline conditions initially compared to sodic soil. No significant difference in growth observed during the later stages from both soil conditions.