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Fermentation Characteristics and Nutrient Composition of Browses Ensiled With Maize Fodder
Browses are important sources of feed and are widely used for animal nutrition to enhance productivity. They are commonly ensiled with other forages such as maize ( Zea mays ). However, the fermentation pattern and chemical composition of browses, that are commonly used are largely unknown. Thus, a...
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Published in: | African crop science journal 2009-07, Vol.12 (4) |
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Main Authors: | , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | Browses are important sources of feed and are widely used for animal
nutrition to enhance productivity. They are commonly ensiled with other
forages such as maize ( Zea mays ). However, the fermentation pattern
and chemical composition of browses, that are commonly used are largely
unknown. Thus, a study was carried out in laboratory silos to determine
the fermentation pattern and chemical composition of Calliandra (
Calliandra calorthyrsus ), Gliricidia ( Gliricidia sepium ) and
Leucaena ( Leucaena leucocephala ) browses ensiled with maize (Zea
mays) forage. The browses were mixed with maize fodder in the
proportion of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50% on dry matter (DM) basis and
ensiled in triplicate 2 kg lots in polythene bags which acted as silos
and allowed to ferment for 30 days. There was good fermentation in all
the silages as indicated by adequate levels of lactic acid ranging
between 2.85 to 3.13% dry matter and pH ranging from 3.99 to 4.06.
Butyric acid levels were low ranging from 0.04 to 0.14 up to 20% browse
addition. Whereas maize silage had 6.25% crude protein, the 30%
browse/maize silages had crude protein content of 12.82, 11.37 and
11.89% for Calliandra/maize, Gliricidia/maize and Leucaena/maize,
respectively. Gliricidia/maize silages exhibited the best fermentation
and nutrient patterns. |
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ISSN: | 1021-9730 2072-6589 |