Abstract: The production performance of three C₄ forage grass species (Pennisetum hybrid, Sorghum-Sudan hybrid and Zea mexicana) has been investigated under different cultivation methods in the coastal shoal at Jinhai farm in Yancheng, Jiangsu province. Three cultivation methods were set: film mulching, ridge forming, and film mulching plus ridge forming. The growth period was sampled at four intervals (24 July, 13 August, 3 September, 24 September). The analysis included leaf area, plant height, grass yield and traits related to feed quality such as water soluble carbohydrates, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and the in vitro digestibility of dry matter. The film mulching plus ridge forming method was the most significant in terms of improving grass yield and feed quality. The Pennisetum and Sorghum-Sudan hybrids returned the best yield and quality when harvested on 3 September, while Z. mexicana yield and quality were highest when harvested on 24 September. The water soluble carbohydrates content of the Sorghum-Sudan hybrid and Z. mexicana was significantly higher than that of the Pennisetum hybrid. The plant stems rather than the leaves were the main organ of carbohydrate storage for the Sorghum-Sudan hybrid and Z. mexicana. For the Pennisetum hybrid the water soluble carbohydrates content was also higher in the stems than in the leaves, but not to such a relatively high degree.