Ensiling property and nutritional quality of palmyrah ( Borassus flabellifer ) leaves incorporated corn ( Zea mays ) or sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor (L.) moench) silage

A laboratory experiment was designed to examine the effects of inclusion of palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer) leaves on the ensiling and nutritional quality of silage prepared with forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) moench) or corn (Zea mays). Corn and sorghum were replaced with different proportions of palmyrah leaves (viz. 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% (w/w)) in fresh matter basis in preparing eight treatments for the experiment where silage prepared with only corn or sorghum were considered as controls (viz. 0% palmyrah leaves). Silage was packed air tightly in laboratory silos and kept for four weeks in a temperature controlled room at 300C. Chemical composition and ensiling parameters were determined using standard procedures. Dry matter, crude fiber, pH and water soluble carbohydrate contents of the silage increased with the increase of palmyrah leaves, but ash and lactic acid contents decreased. Further, the increase of palmyrah leaves increased (p < 0.05) the crude protein content of corn silages but decreased (p < 0.05) the crude protein content of sorghum silages. The results revealed that the treatment of 10% replacement with palmyrah leaves was acceptable when the chemical composition and ensiling parameters of silage were considered. Therefore, a mixture of 10% palmyrah leaves with corn or sorghum is recommended for making quality silages.