In vitro digestibility assessment of banana stem silage (Musa paradisiaca) inoculated with EM-4 and different accelerators added as ruminant feed

Abstract

Abstract Utilization of banana (Musa paradisiaca) stem as ruminant feed is limited by low crude protein and high crude fiber content. High water content of banana stems accelerates the decay process. Implementation of ensilage technology with the addition of inoculants and accelerators is intended to increase the nutritional value of the banana stem and its storability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro digestibility of banana stem silage inoculated with EM-4 and different accelerators addition as ruminant feed. This study was design as a completely randomized design consisted of 4 treatments, namely R0 (control without accelerator), addition of rice bran (R1), cassava (R2) and sago (R3) with 4 replications each. Parameters measured in this study were in vitro pH value, N-NH3 concentration, dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) digestibility. The result showed that cassava added silage produced the lowest (P<0.01) pH value compared to other treatments and increased (P<0.01) in vitro N-NH3 concentration, DM and OM digestibility compared to control. It was concluded that addition of cassava as accelerators improved the fermentation quality of banana stem, as shown by the lowest pH value and the highest in vitro N-NH3 concentration, DM and OM digestibility.