Silage Quality of Sorghum Harvested at Different Times and Its Combination with Mixed Legumes or Concentrate Evaluated in Vitro
Abstract: The experiment was
designed to evaluate the silage quality of sorghum forage varieties of Citayam
and BMR 3.6 strain at different harvesting times and the effectiveness of a
legumes addition as a concentrate substitute in sorghum forage silage-based
diets on in vitro fermentability using rumen fluid of beef cattle. Experimental
design for silage quality was completely randomized design with 2 x 3
factorial, i.e., forage sorghum types (Citayam and BMR 3.6) and time of
harvesting the forage sorghum (85, 95, and 105 d). Experimental design for in
vitro fermentability and digestibility was randomized block design with 2 x 2
factorial arrangement, i.e. types of ration (with 2 levels i.e., a mixture of
legumes and concentrate) and types of sorghum forage silages (with 2 levels
i.e., Citayam and BMR 3.6). All silages had a good odor, color, and texture.
Silage of sorghum harvested at 105 d had better grades and was selected for in
vitro studies. The treatment had no effect on pH and organic matter
digestibility. BMR 3.6 based silage had greater values of NH3, total VFA, rumen
microbial population, methane, and dry matter digestibility. Substitution of
concentrate with a mixture of legumes did not affect fermentability, microbe
population and digestibility in the rumen. Silage of sorghum strain BMR 3.6
harvested at 105 d had a very good quality and mixing with legumes could
replace concentrate in forage sorghum silage based diet on in vitro
fermentability and digestibility using beef cattle rumen fluid.
Author: Ardiansyah, K. G.
Wiryawan, P.D.M.H. Karti
Journal Code: jppeternakangg160020