Vol. 9, Issue 11 (2020)

Author(s):
Santhoshkumar D, Sivakumar SD, Babu C and M Thirunavukkarasu

Abstract:
The experiment was conducted at Glass House farm, Department of Forage Crops, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Coimbatore. Treatments includes four grasses and two legumes individually as well as in combination. The treatments have recorded silage temperature range from 29.33-30 (˙C), pH range between 4.03- 5.10 and quality parameters viz. dry matter, moisture, crude protein, crude fiber range from 28.54- 35.60, 54.40- 61.46, 13.89- 25.57, 31.13- 36.52 per cent, respectively. Higher pH of 5.10 was recorded in Desmanthus (T₅) and it was on par with fodder cowpea (4.70). Silage temperature was not varied significantly due to different fodder crops and its combination. Significantly higher dry matter content of 35.51 percent was recorded in multi cut fodder sorghum (T₃). Maximum crude fibre content of 36.52 per cent was registered in guniea grass + Desmanthus (3:1) (T₈) and lower crude fibre content of 31.13 was registered in fodder cowpea alone. Desmanthus (T₅) also recorded higher crude protein of 25.57 per cent.