EFFECT OF SEASON, ADDITIVES AND GRASS TYPES ON SILAGE QUALITY OF FODDER GRASSES
USHA C THOMAS AND MAREEN ABRAHAM
AICRP on Forage Crops and Utilization,
Kerala Agricultural University
College of Agriculture, Vellayani
Thiruvananthapuram-695 522, Kerala
*(e-mail : ushacthomas@gmail.com)
(Received : 28 December 2017; Accepted : 15 March 2018)
SUMMARY
A study was undertaken to assess the effect of different seasons, additives and grass types on silage quality at AICRP on Forage Crops and Utilization, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala during Rabi 2015-16. Pooled analysis of the data over two seasons was done and perusal of the data showed that seasons had no significant influence on quality parameters of silage. But grass type had significant influence on dry matter content, total ash and crude protein content of silage. Individual effect of additives was significant on total ash and acid insoluble ash. Highest crude protein content was recorded in the silage prepared from BN hybrid+ Jaggery 2% and it was on par with BN hybrid+ Urea 1% and BN hybrid+ Tapioca flour 1%.
Key words: Silage, hybrid napier, guinea grass, pH, ash, crude protein, crude fibre