The use of lignocellulosic biomass (non-food materials) such as forest residues,
agro-wastes, energy grasses, aquatic plants, algae etc., for biofuel production continue to
gain tremendous attention as they are evenly distributed across the globe. These have also
diminished the initial public insecurity associated with first generation biofuels which were
produced from food materials (Margeot et al. 2009; Nigam and Singh 2011; Srirangan et
al. 2012). In addition, these materials have low levels of sulfur, nitrogen, and ash, which
makes them relatively environmentally friendly. Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) is
one of the perennial grasses with potentials of high biomass yield typically in the range of
25 to 35 oven dry tons per hectare annually which correspond to 100 barrels of oil energy
equivalent per hectare compared to other herbaceous plants. Other advantages of Napier
grass include compatibility with conventional farming practices, ability to outcompete
weeds, and very little or no need for supplementary nutrients, so they therefore have lower
establishment costs. It can be harvested up to four times within a year with a ratio of energy
output to energy input of around 25:1, which makes it one of the best potential energy crops
for development of efficient and economic bioenergy systems (Samson et al. 2005).
Furthermore, our recent trials in the field have demonstrated that Napier grass can be
intercropped with oil palm. The study was conducted under 70% and 50% shade levels
with a full sunlight treatment as control. The plant showed more potential for higher dry
weights in shaded conditions due to elongated stems, which contained more biomass than
the higher leaf biomass in unshaded conditions. This suggests that shaded Napier grass
accumulates longer and thicker stems in an attempt to reach better quality light.
Intercropping Napier grass with oil palm will offer higher biomass yield, minimize unused
spaces in oil palm plantations (estimated at 26.63% of the total plantation area), and bring
added economic value to the oil palm industries