Assessment of silage quality of phytogenic fortified feed samples in mini-silos for ruminants

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the silage quality of Zingiber officinale fortified samples in a completely randomized design. The samples consisted of four treatments as samples: Cassava peel (65%) + Moringa leaf (15%) + PKC (20%)+ Ginger (0 g), Cassava peel (65%) + Moringa leaf (15%) + PKC (20%) + ginger (200 g), Cassava peel (65%) + Moringa leaf (15%) + PKC (20%) + ginger (300 g), Cassava peel (65%) + Moringa leaf (15%) + PKC (20%) + ginger (400 g). The physical characteristics; colour, smell, texture, pH, temperature and mould status were observed. All samples retained their original colour, had pleasant alcoholic smell with a firm texture, the pH ranged from 4.2-4.4, temperature range of 25-26 °C with sample D having the highest temperature range of 26 °C while samples A and B had the same temperature of 25.5 °C. The mould status showed absence of mould. The chemical composition revealed that dry matter ranged from 40.86% (sample B) to 54.68% (sample D). Crude protein content ranged from 13.30% to 14.88%, crude fibre content of the samples was significantly (p <0.05) different and it ranged from 14.67% to 22.14%. The mineral concentrations of the samples were higher in Zingiber officinale samples except in sample A where potassium was higher (100.40 mg 100 g-1) than in other samples. Volatile fatty acid composition showed that lactic acid (3.24-4.86%) had higher concentration than other acids. It can therefore be concluded that Zingiber officinale fortified sample showed better nutritional potential as ruminant feed.