Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research
 

Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research 

Vol. 5(7), pp. 577-587. November, 2017.

ISSN: 2360-7874 

 DOI: 10.14662/ARJASR2017.130

Full Length Research

Influence of Varying Levels of Cassava Leaves and Millet Grain on the Silage Quality of BrachiariaDecumbens

¹*Binuomote, R.T., ²Bamigboye, F. O., ¹Aderinola, O.A. and ¹Fagbemi S.

¹Department of Animal Production and Health, LadokeAkintola University of Technology, P. M. B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. E-mail: *rtbinuomote@lautech.edu.ng;  +2348035635575;

²Department of Agricultural Sciences, AfeBabalola University, Ado-Ekiti Nigeria

Accepted 4 September 2017

This study was designed to evaluate the silage quality, microbial content and proximate composition of   Brachiaria decumbens ensiled with varying levels of cassava leaves and grinded millet grains. In a completely randomized design, the silages were made as follows: 60 % Brachiaria decumbens + 40 % Cassava leaves, (60Bd40Cl), 60 % Brachiaria decumbens + 30 % Cassava leaves + 10 % Millet grain (60Bd30Cl10M), 60 % Brachiaria decumbens+ 20 % Cassava leaves + 20 % Millet grain  (60Bd20Cl20M), 60 % Brachiaria decumbens + 10 % Cassava leaves + 30 % Millet grain, (60Bd10Cl30M),  100 % Brachiaria decunbens (100Bd) 100 % Cassava leaves (100Cl). After 150 days, the pH values of silages ranged from 3.8 to 5.0 and exhibited significant differences (P<0.05). Silage colours were olive green with white patches (60Bd30Cl10M, 60Bd20Cl20M and 60Bd10Cl30M), olive green (60Bd40Cl), deep olive green (100Bd) to yellowish green (100Cl). All silage combinations had pleasant smell with an observed improving smell with increasing proportion of millet grain. A similar trend was observed for silage texture which was firm but 100Bd had a soft texture. Temperature ranged between 27°C and 29°C.  The highest count of lactic acid bacteria and least count of Enterobacteria were observed in 100Cl. All silages were aerobically stable due to the absence of growth of Total Aerobic Bacteria; however 100Bd had a count of 3.3x10⁵.  Yeast count was highest in 60Bd40Cl and lowest in 60Bd10Cl30M. Mold count was lowest in 60Bd10Cl30M (5.0x10³) and highest in 100Bd. All the silages met the minimum crude protein requirement for ruminants. Microbial load of all silages will not have any adverse effect on ruminant animals.

Keyword: Silage, Brachiariadecumbens, Microbial count, Proximate composition

How to cite this article: Binuomote, R.T., Bamigboye, F.O., Aderinola, O.A., Fagbemi S. (2017). Influence of Varying Levels of Cassava Leaves and Millet Grain on the Silage Quality of Brachiaria Decumbens. Acad. Res. J. Agri. Sci. Res. 5(7): 577-587

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