Pennisetum purpureum Schum

Developed by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) elephant grass genetic-engineering program, this species is low-sized and can be used under pasture. It results from a cross between two cultivars belonging to Embrapa’s germplasm bank, the Merkeron de Pinda (BAGCE 19) and Roxo. (BAGCE 57). Subsequently the plants were subjected to new crosses, resulting in high and low-sized specimens. The BRS Kurumi cultivar was obtained through the selection and cloning of one of the low-sized plants from this progeny.

Fun note: in the Tupi-Guarani language, kurumi means “boy”.

Features:

• Perennial cycle;
• Low-sized;
• It has clumps in semi-open format;
• Green leaf and stem;
• Short internode;
• Vigorous vegetative growth;
• Intense tillering;
• It is vegetatively propagated by means of cuttings;
• Short size makes it easy to be handled;
• High leaf/stem ratio;
• High forage production potential;
• Pasture stocking rate varies between 4.0 and 7.0 AU/ha;
• Species of significant importance for dairy production, due to its forage capacity and nutritional quality;
• It is recommended for use under cutting or grazing;
• Excellent nutritional features: 18% to 20% crude protein (CP) in the dry matter and digestibility coefficient between 68% and 70%, high leaf/stem ratio, and easy management due to its low size.