EFFECT OF ENSILAGE ON CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF WHOLE CROP MAIZE, MAIZE STOVER AND MOTT GRASS

摘要

The main objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of ensilage on chemical composition of whole crop maize (WCM), maize stover (MS) and mott grass (MG) using pit silos and to compare the chemical composition values of these forages. Theexperimental design was 2 (fresh vs silage) x 3 (forages) factorial arrangement using 4 replicates. All the 24 samples were analysed for percent dry matter (DM), ash, crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fibre (CF) and nitrogen free extract (NFE). Results indicated that ensilage increased CP, decreased DM and NFE, but did not affect ash, EE and CF contents. Whole crop maize was higher in NFE and lower in ash and CF contents as compared to MS or MG, but all the three forages were similar in DMcontent. No interaction was found between forage vs ensilage for any parameter. It was concluded that ensilage improved the CP content, which needs further investigations.