Quality of Ensiled Panicum maximum at Varying Proportion with Sweet Potato Peels for Sustainable Ruminant Production in Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

Quality of ensiled Panicum maximum with different proportion of sweet potato peels for sustainable ruminant animal production was studied. Panicummaximum(PAM)wereharvestedat4-weekre-growth,choppedto2-3cm,wiltedandensiledwithsweetpotato peel(SPP)atdifferentproportions(%)tohave7experimentaltreatments: T1(100PAM/0SPP);T2(90PAM/10SPP);T3(80 PAM/ 20 SPP); T4 (70PAM/ 30 SPP); T5 (60 PAM/ 40 SPP; T6 (50 PAM/ 50 SPP); T7 (40 PAM/ 60 SPP). Bamma bottles (960ml) were used as laboratory silos. Each treatment had three replicates incompletely randomize design (CRD), ensiled materials were kept for 270 days. Physical characteristics, proximate composition, fiber fractions and mineral profile were examined. The colour observed were yellowish-green to olive-green, while the aroma was mild sweet in all the treatments expect T3 and T6 with 20% and 5% Mouldiness, respectively, firm texture was recorded for all the treatments, the pH values ranged between 2.9 – 3.7.There was a significant difference (P>0.05) in all the proximate and fiber fractions except ether extract. There was no significant different (p>0.05) in the Ca, P, Na and Mg content of the silage. The value of Fe and Zn was significantly different (P<0.05) ranged from 165.7 – 169.2 mg/kg and 22.30 – 23.70 mg/kg, respectively. The qualities recorded for the experimental treatmentsat the end of 9 months (270 days) ensiled period, shows that the silage of Panicum maximum with different potato peel will sustain ruminant animal production especially during the dry season.