Characteristics Of Different Ratios Of Grass-Legume (Andropogon Tectorum And Calopogonium Mucunoides) Silage:- Okonkwo Chinedu B

ABSTRACT

The characteristics of different proportions of grass - legume silages were studied in an experiment. The silages comprised of ratios of Andropogon tectorum and Calopogonium mucunoides in the following treatment order: Ti (100:00), T2 (80:20), T3 (60:40), T4(40:60), Tg (80:20),and Tg (00:100).The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD). At the end ofa 52-day forage fermentation, the silo was openedfor silage physical properties evaluation and proximate analyses. The residt showed that the silage textures were firm across the treatment means while the pleasant aroma depreciated with increasing ratio of Calopogonium mucunoides. Apartfrom Tg which recorded dark brownish green colouration all other treatments were greenish brown. Treatments 1-6 had no mould. The temperatures ranged from 19.00°C -21.13°C while pHvalues were below 6. With the exception ofether extract which recorded zero value across the treatment means, all the proximate fractions evaluated varied significantly (p<0.05).The dry matter and crude protein valuesfor Tj, T2, T3, T^ T5 and Tg were 57.90, 8.75; 54.02, 12.25; 59.77, 8.75; 58.19, 9.33; 57.62, 11.6; 55.32 and 14.58, respectively. Treatment 2 recorded the highest (71.98%) Neutral detergentfibre (NDF) while, Tg had the least (60.47) NDF value. Similarly, acid detergent fibre (ADF) value in T2 (47.92) was the highest while Tg had the least value (30.01) ofADF. It could be inferred that the differentproportions of Andropogon tectorum and Calopogonium mucunoidesfermented as silage did not compromise quality even though 80% grass-legume appears to be the most suitable combination to provide dry seasonfeedfor ruminants.