Nutritive Value Of Different Types Of Silage Prepared Under A Humid Tropical Environment

ABSTRACT

An experiment to determine the effects of ensiling on the physical properties and chemical composition of centrosema, guinea grass, cassava peel, poultry manure silage mixtures was carried out between September and October. 2007. Guinea grass (Panicuni ,naxinium Jacq) centro (centrosema pubescens) cassava peels (Manihot esculentu4, poultry manure were ensued alone and in mixtures using plastic containers lined with polythene sheets. The experiment was a completely randomized design with three replicates in each treatment comprising of the guinea grass/centro, cassava peel and poultry minute ensued alone or in mixtures of two or three of the materials. The results nithe experiment showed that the silage from the five materials were similar (P>0.05) physically, although ensuing reduced the DM content and slightl' increased the crude protein. The low pH of 4.50-4.60 showed that the siluge was well preserved as it falls within the pH range ['or excellent silae, Ensuing guinea grass and entro alone produced average qualities especillv in terms of crude protein and crude fiber. Other properties such is Carbohydrate, Ethei lxtraci Ash Dry Matter and Moktuic ( unlent an(1 pl I were not significantly different (P>0.05) in the silage produced hum the various materials ensued. It was concluded that ensuing guinea grass and centro sole had more nutritive value than mixing them. However. ensuing guinea grass and cassava peel or guinea grass — cassava peel poultry manure mixtures improved the quality of silage.