Quality and Chemical Composition of Cassava Wastes Ensiled with Albizia saman Pods

Abstract

An investigation was carried out to assess the quality characteristics, proximate composition and cell wall fractions of 6 months ensiled cassava wastes and Albizia saman pods. Cassava Wastes (CSW) and Albizia saman Pods (ASP) were mixed for preparation of silage as 100% CSW, 75% CSW+25% ASP, 50%CSW + 50% ASP, 25% CSW + 75% ASP and 100% ASP. The pH of silage ranged from 3.38-4.61. Silage structure was visible while texture ranged from wet and firm to dry and very firm. Colour ranged from dark brown in CSW to reddish brown in ASP. Odour of silage was generally alcoholic. Values for crude protein (3.50-24.50 g/100 g) increased with increasing level of ASP. There was no trend observed in the values for NDF, ADF, ADL, Cellulose and Hemicellulose. An inclusion level of 50 and 75% of ASP in the diet showed good quality silage and enhanced nutrient composition.