Napier Grass Seed Production Guidelines to Manage Stunt and Head Smut Diseases

Abstract

For many years Napier grass has been grown from canes and root splits without serious challenges from pests. However, the emergence of Napier stunt and head smut diseases which are spread through planting materials has reduced its production on smallholder farms. Although the spread is extremely fast through exchange of planting materials, there are no clear seed production and distribution guidelines to manage the diseases.