Introduction
The nutritive value of grass for cattle depends upon the amount of dry matter consumed, the chemical
composition and the coefficient of digestibility of the dry matter. The chemical composition has been shown
to vary with the stage of maturity, soil conditions and climate. Young plants are characterized by their high
protein content, low cellulose and lignin content and a high digestibility [1], [2]. The decreased DM
digestibility with increasing maturity is believed to be associated in some way with lignifications although the
total amount of lignin does not appear to be the determining factor. King Napier grass (Pennisetum
purpureum x Pennisetum americanum.) is a perennial forage crop with high growth rate, high productivity
and good nutritive value [3], [4]. The various cutting studies with Napier grass revealed that both the choice
of cutting interval and height of cutting are crucial to their performance and found that the main factor
affecting growth, yield and persistence of swards is the defoliation intensity [5]; [6]. However, there are many
research works on the cutting height of Napier grass showed the uncertainty results. Thinnakorn et al. [7]
found no difference in the production of the Napier grass cut 30-35 day interval at 5, 10 and 15 cm; whereas,
Caro-costor and Vincente-Chandler [8] worked in Puerto Rico found that cutting the Napier grass at lower
level obtained higher dry matter yield than cut at higher level. Gonçalves and Coast [9] obtained variation in
the annual production of herbage dry matter of about 19.69-25.29 t /ha on average, when varying the height of
cutting at 5-30 cm above the ground level. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of cutting
interval and cutting height on yield and chemical composition of King Napier grass.