Effect of wilting and plant types on physical and chemical composition of silage

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of wilting and plant types on physical and chemical composition of silage. Three forage grasses and two legumes were harvested at vegetative stage from the Fadama (wetland areas) located within the University. The grasses were Panicum maximum, Pennisetum purpureum and Cynodon nlemfuensis while the legumes were Stylosanthes hamata and Centrosema pubescens. The forage samples were chopped into pieces of 2-3cm in length. Half of the forage samples were wilted in the open for 24 hours before ensiling; the other half was ensiled as fresh materials. The experiment was arranged in an 11 x 2 factorial experimental design with 3 replicates. A total of 66 anaerobic glass jars were used for the study. Wilting x plant species interactions were observed for some (colour and odour) of the characteristics of the silages. Generally, silages from grass/legume mixtures recorded better physical parameter scores than those of monocultures. Interactions was also observed for the dry matter (DM) (P<0.001) and pH (P=0.010) of the silages. Higher (P=0.003) DM contents were observed in silages made from wilted forages. On the contrast, higher (P>0.05) crude protein contents were observed in silages made from unwilted forages. Wilting did not have any negative effect on the fibre content of the silages. The pH values were within the range of pH for good quality silage. S. hamata silage recorded the highest CP content. Ensiling grasses and legumes together produced quality silages. © 2011 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.