ABSTRACT
The meaning of the Deenanath grass is friend of the poor. Pennisetum is a native of Africa and India. Deenanath grass also known as desho or as desho grass, is an indigenous grass of Ethiopia belonging to the Poaceae family. The genus Pennisetum is derived from the Latin word “penna,” feather, and “seta,” bristle and the species pedicellatum means having small stalk of spikelets. Desho is becoming increasingly utilized, along with various soil and water conservation techniques, as a local method of improving grazing land management. The average yield from single cut is about 400-500 quintals/ha of green fodder and 40-60 quintals/ha dry fodder. Green fodder yield under irrigated fodder crop is about 400-600 quintals/ha first crop and ratoon crop gives about 150-200 quintals/ha. Desho is used as a year round fodder and it has no toxic effect in animals and livestock.
