This document discusses exploring the genetic diversity of Napier grass through molecular profiling to enhance its use for livestock production. It identifies that assessing Napier grass's genetic diversity is important for its conservation and improved use. Molecular characterization has found wide genetic diversity in Napier grass collections. Further screening at the molecular level could help identify traits like disease resistance. Little is currently known about Napier grass at the molecular level, limiting use of molecular tools. Future work using genotyping-by-sequencing could locate genes controlling important traits. Napier grass is crucial for small-scale livestock production in East Africa as a high-yielding, adaptable forage crop.

1. Exploring genetic diversity of Napier grass for better livestock
production and productivity
Molecular profiling of Napier grass
• Assessing genetic diversity of Napier grass is
crucial for its enhanced use and conservation.
• Phenotyping studies over the last few
decades have identified genotypes with
resistance to diseases and tolerance to
drought.
• Molecular characterization has identified
wide genetic diversity in the collection.
• Further screening will enhance differentiation
of genotypes at molecular level and help to
identify ways to capture agronomic traits.
Future outlook
• Little information exists on Napier grass at
the molecular level.
• This limits the application of molecular
approaches for use and conservation of
genetic resources.
• Genetic diversity information will be used to
locate genomic regions and identify genes
controlling important agronomic traits.
• This study will be further supported by a
‘genotyping-by-sequencing’ approach.
Importance of Napier grass
• East African small-scale livestock production
is heavily dependent on Napier grass,
particularly in cut-and-carry feeding systems.
• Important characteristics include:
o High yielding, adaptability to diverse agro-
ecologies and resistance to abiotic and
biotic stresses; and
o Soil conservation, insect management
strategies, and biofuel crop options.
Napier grass collection maintained in ILRI field genebank, Ethiopia
Use of Napier grass for cut-and-carry feeding system
Genetic relationship of Napier grass collection
Alemayehu Teressa Negawo1, Chris Jones1, Jean Hanson1 and Alexandra Jorge2
1International Livestock Research Institute. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 2 BIOFOUND, Mozambique
Drought tolerant
Stunt resistant
Smut resistant
Brazilian accessions
Brazilian accessions,
Few ILRI accessions
Brazilian accessions,
ILRI accessions
Brazilian accessions,
ILRI accessions
ILRI accessions,
Brazilian accessions
Brazilian accessions,
ILRI accessions
Smut resistant
Drought tolerant
Stunt resistant
Stunt resistant
Smut resistant
This poster is copyrighted by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). It is licensed for
use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence. March 2016