Physical and chemical quality of silage from two Pennisetum purpureum sp varieties supplemented with molasses at different levels

Abstract

Abstract This study aimed to determine quality of silage from Pennisetum purpureum sp and Pennisetum purpureum cv.Mott supplemented with molasses at different levels. The study was designed using a complete 2 x 3 factorial randomized design. The first factor was grass varieties, Pennisetum purpureum sp and Pennisetum purpureum cv.Mott and the second factor was supplementation of molasses with levels 0, 3 and 6%. The variables measured included physical and chemical characteristics of silage. The results showed that molasses supplementation produce silage with good physical quality in both Pennisetum purpureum variety used. The increased levels of molasses supplementation lowering pH and silage NH3 (P<0.05) concentration, and lactic acid was significantly increase (P< 0.05). The treatment of molasses supplementation showing interactions at pH, NH3 concentration and silage lactic acid concentration in both varieties. It is concluded that Pennisetum purpureum sp with the level of 6% molasses supplementation produce best silage in term of its physical and chemical quality.